Maj. Chad Clark wins prestigeous statewide Enrique “Kiki” Camarena Award for drug-fighting, given by the Order of Elks; It is named for federal agent murdered in 1985 while working in Mexico

Maj. Chad Clark, head of the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Division, has been named statewide winner of the prestigious Enrique “Kiki” Camarena Award for drug-fighting for 2015-16 and he was 12^th nationally.

The award was given by the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks in Louisiana. It is named for the federal agent kidnapped, tortured and murdered by a drug cartel in 1985 after stopping a huge marijuana growing operation on the Mexican border.

Red Ribbon Week, celebrated each October in school systems across the country including in St. Bernard Parish  was originated in 1998 to honor the memory of Camarena, a U.S. Drug Enforcement agent assigned to fight drug trafficking in Mexico near the U.S. border.

Clark, a 23-year veteran on the Sheriff’s Office, “was hands down the winner in Louisiana,’’ said Armand Buuck, retired deputy chief of the St. Bernard Fire Department, who is Drug Awareness Chairman of Louisiana for the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Buuck, who lives in Chalmette, recently presented the award to Clark, saying he was also  12^th nationally in the selection.

Buuck said the Enrique Camarena Award was established by the Elks to recognize and honor law enforcement officers who have made a significant contribution in the field of drug prevention and who personify Agent Camarena’s belief that one person can make a difference.

Clark said it was an honor to be given an award named for Camarena. “His story is an inspiraction to me. He wanted to do what was right – stop drugs – and was killed for it.’’

Clark also said the award he received “was a group effort by the men and women who work each day at the Sheriff’s Office to arrest drug-dealers and keep drugs out of St. Bernard.’’

“I want to remove drugs from our streets and attempt to take back what drugs have the potential to rob us of – our children.”

Sheriff James Pohlmann congratulated Clark, saying he deserves such an award. “I know his passion for fighting narcotics. And I know he does it for the kids of this parish’’

The sheriff added, ”His group (the Special Investigations Division) is doing a tremendous job on the streets of St. Bernard Parish.’’

Clark began his career as a patrol deputy and has worked his way up the ranks to become commander of the Special Investigations Division, which includes all narcotics and street crime investigations.

His group makes some 1,000 drug arrests each year.

In an unofficial capacity, Clark has often intervened on behalf of juveniles and young adults to offer guidance and get professional help to recover from the effects of drug use.

He has solicited private sponsors for numerous young people who fund a rehabilitation process for them.