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Choleric · 03-05-2008, 02:12 PM

This made feel good inside;

Omaha hero's quick thinking is rewarded

Instinct took over when a 10-year-old, half-naked girl ran to Al Clark for protection.

Clark, a Metropolitan Utilities District service technician, put the girl in his work van and confronted a man who was chasing the girl, who had run out of a house near 56th and Parker Streets.

"He tried to tell me that he was taking her to school but she needed to go to the bathroom so he had taken her into the house . . . but it didn't sound right," Clark said. "I called 911."

The girl, who was crying and yelling as she ran, later told police she had been sexually assaulted inside the man's duplex.

Clark, 34, was honored today by the MUD board with its Distinguished Service Award for his actions on Jan. 31. The Omaha Police Department also gave Clark a plaque in recognition of his actions.

Dramatic new details about Clark's efforts emerged during the presentation.

Not only did Clark let the girl into his van and call 911, but he kept the man from fleeing.

"After I called 911, the guy just turned and got into his car to leave," Clark said. "So I jumped in my van and backed it up to block his driveway until the police could come."

Police arrested the suspect on the spot. Michael D. Zimmerman, 51, who lived in the duplex at 1902 N. 56th St., waived his preliminary hearing today and awaits trial on charges of kidnapping and sexual assault.

Police have said the girl was abducted near 27th and Burdette Streets while walking to school. Just after 9 a.m. the same day, Clark turned the corner near Zimmerman's duplex when he spotted the girl running to his vehicle for help.

The MUD board's presentation finally brought Clark into the limelight that he had avoided immediately after the incident, when he declined interview requests.

Deputy Police Chief Pitmon Foxall said Clark's efforts were heroic.

"He deserves our sincere appreciation," Foxall said. "He displayed the courage to help an innocent victim."

Clark, the father of three daughters, said he would hope that others would do the same thing in a similar situation.

"This was really a no-brainer," Clark said. "If you see a situation that looks that bad, it's probably not right."

Clark, 10-year MUD employee, said he doesn't consider himself a hero.

"I just wanted to make sure the girl was safe and the guy didn't get away," he said. "I see no heroics in that. It was just a natural reaction."

Omaha.com Metro/Region Section

03-05-2008, 02:12 PM	#1 (permalink)
Choleric Justice Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Great Plains Posts: 3,394 My Mood: Thanks: 564 Thanked 1,129 Times in 612 Posts	Random Acts of Kindness/Heroism This made feel good inside; Omaha hero's quick thinking is rewarded Instinct took over when a 10-year-old, half-naked girl ran to Al Clark for protection. Clark, a Metropolitan Utilities District service technician, put the girl in his work van and confronted a man who was chasing the girl, who had run out of a house near 56th and Parker Streets. "He tried to tell me that he was taking her to school but she needed to go to the bathroom so he had taken her into the house . . . but it didn't sound right," Clark said. "I called 911." The girl, who was crying and yelling as she ran, later told police she had been sexually assaulted inside the man's duplex. Clark, 34, was honored today by the MUD board with its Distinguished Service Award for his actions on Jan. 31. The Omaha Police Department also gave Clark a plaque in recognition of his actions. Dramatic new details about Clark's efforts emerged during the presentation. Not only did Clark let the girl into his van and call 911, but he kept the man from fleeing. "After I called 911, the guy just turned and got into his car to leave," Clark said. "So I jumped in my van and backed it up to block his driveway until the police could come." Police arrested the suspect on the spot. Michael D. Zimmerman, 51, who lived in the duplex at 1902 N. 56th St., waived his preliminary hearing today and awaits trial on charges of kidnapping and sexual assault. Police have said the girl was abducted near 27th and Burdette Streets while walking to school. Just after 9 a.m. the same day, Clark turned the corner near Zimmerman's duplex when he spotted the girl running to his vehicle for help. The MUD board's presentation finally brought Clark into the limelight that he had avoided immediately after the incident, when he declined interview requests. Deputy Police Chief Pitmon Foxall said Clark's efforts were heroic. "He deserves our sincere appreciation," Foxall said. "He displayed the courage to help an innocent victim." Clark, the father of three daughters, said he would hope that others would do the same thing in a similar situation. "This was really a no-brainer," Clark said. "If you see a situation that looks that bad, it's probably not right." Clark, 10-year MUD employee, said he doesn't consider himself a hero. "I just wanted to make sure the girl was safe and the guy didn't get away," he said. "I see no heroics in that. It was just a natural reaction." Omaha.com Metro/Region Section