BY PHIL CUSTODIO
Clarkston News Editor
Clarkston Area Optimist Club just honored Oakland County Sheriff’s Deputy Clinton Thom as Independence Township Law Enforcement Officer of the Year when they learned he would soon be gone.
“I hate to leave but it was very enjoyable while I was here,” Thom said. “It’s a privilege and honor to serve this community. It’s nice to invest in a community that wants to invest back in you and recognize you for what you do.”
The Independence Township substation lost him to a transfer from patrol to undercover work, said Lt. Larry Perry, substation commander.
“This is one of those things where you have to let it go to grow,” Perry said. “We lost him from our community, but while he was here, he managed to do a lot of good things to help keep us safe.”
Thom joined the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office two-and-a-half years ago, and served as a Port Huron police officer for two years before that. He graduated from Romeo High School, playing football for four years and wrestling for three years. He went to Oakland Community College and earned a degree in technical sciences, and graduated from the Oakland Police Academy in 2014.
He has since served as a rapid response team member, field training officer, tactical medical officer, and Sex Offender Registry liaison officer, and has specialized training in recognizing drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs.
“He’s always been a really motivated guy,” Perry said. “He was a mentor for the cadet program they have to help train future officers. He continually goes above and beyond. I’m very proud of the things that he’s accomplished.”
The Optimists met at the Independence Township substation on Sept. 11 for the award presentation.
“On this day, we remember one of those iconic days that changed everybody’s life in this country,” Perry said “On this day, we remember everybody who gave their lives to help and save other people. It’s a very special opportunity. We appreciate you having us here and recognizing one of our own.”
Thom’s name joins deputies Sharon Beltz, Dan Hedrick, and Kevin Harris on the Officer of the Year plaque, which was created in 2016. The deputy also received gift certificates from Union Joints, one donated by the Optimists and the other by Union Joints.
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Check out the Clarkston Area Optimists Club and Bowman Chevrolet at Taste of Clarkston for a chance to win a new Chevy.
The Optimists and Bowman are raffling off a $30,000 voucher toward the purchase of a new car. Tickets are $20 each. The drawing will be on Sunday, Sept. 29, at 5 p.m. at the Taste of Clarkston Bowman Booth. Minimum 2,500 tickets to be sold or revert to a 50/50 split.
Proceeds will benefit the Clarkston Optimist Club Foundation’s youth programs. Contact an Optimist member for tickets or go to www.clarkstonoptimists.org for an order form.