ST. CHARLES COUNTY, Mo. – Hundreds lined along a procession route Saturday to pay respects a fallen Michael Clarke, a St. Charles County paramedic who tragically died while on duty earlier this month.
Clarke, who died at the age of 27, was remembered Saturday as a hero that touched so many lives. On Saturday morning, Clarke’s family, friends and co-workers bid farewell to a man they say gave so much to the community.
“He was part of one of the largest hires we did in 2022 to re-establish a division for us, and he was at the top of his class,” said Kelly Cope, Chief of the St. Charles County Ambulance District.
The St. Charles County community continues to mourn the loss of Clarke, who was found unresponsive by his colleagues in an ambulance district bedroom on October 11. Despite their efforts to revive him, he was taken to the hospital and sadly did not survive.
A public visitation for Clarke was held Saturday morning, followed by his funeral service. Hundreds lined up along a processional route to pay their respects.
“He was an excellent addition to our organization,” said Cope. “The characteristics that he made for anything and everything that he did was compassion. He really represented the value of compassion and did a spectacular job in any engagement or any encounter he had with the public.”
Clarke completed his emergency medical technician and paramedic coursework at St. Charles County Ambulance District. He was a two-year veteran with the department, and four-year member of the St. Charles team.
He was recognized along with two colleagues for lifesaving efforts with a cardiac arrest patient.
The St. Charles County Ambulance district has five qualities they look for in paramedics: Accountability, respect, integrity, compassion and dedication.
Chief Cope says Clarke exceeded those values.
“He was just always happy,” said Cope. “He had a smile on his face. There are a number of interactions we end up. I meet the employees when they are in orientation and have the opportunity to be around them at events. I can’t tell you a time that I was with him that he was not a happy man.”
