Today, Governor Mike Parson ordered the U.S. and Missouri flags to be flown at half-staff at government buildings in St. Charles County and at all emergency medical stations in Missouri on Saturday, October 19, 2024, to honor St. Charles County Ambulance District Paramedic Michael R. Clarke.

“Paramedic Michael Clarke loved working as a paramedic, had compassion for the people he treated, and was honored earlier this year for saving the life of a patient in cardiac arrest,” Governor Parson said. “He committed his life to serving the people of St. Charles County, but sadly died in the line of duty after two years of honorable service with the St. Charles County Ambulance District. Teresa and I send up our prayers for Paramedic Clarke’s parents, siblings, and all who loved him.”

Clarke was licensed as a paramedic on September 30, 2022, and joined the St. Charles County Ambulance District on November 11, 2022.

Paramedic Clarke did not respond to a call early in the morning on October 11. His colleagues found him unresponsive in an ambulance district bedroom. They attempted to resuscitate him, and he was transported to a hospital but did not survive. He was just 27.

The flags will be held at half-staff on the day of Paramedic Clarke’s interment.