Wingman takes action, saves employee’s life Published Dec. 17, 2015 By Jennifer Schneider AFCEC Public Affairs JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas -- On May 26, Dale Clark made a decision that saved a life. The first day back in the office after Memorial Day had started much like any other, but something wasn't right. Clark, chief of the Air Force Civil Engineer Center National Environmental Policy Act Division, noticed that one of his employees hadn't arrived at the office that morning with no explanation why. Attempts to reach her by phone were fruitless. As the morning drew on with no word from her, Clark decided to take action. "This employee has always been very dependable and very good about letting me know her whereabouts," Clark said. "When she didn't attend a meeting and no one had heard from her, I knew I needed to follow up." Clark found her address in personnel records and made the drive to her house. At the same time, a fellow coworker had reached out to team member Julianne Turko, who lived near the employee and happened to be on leave that day. When Clark arrived at the home, the only response at the door was from the employee's beloved dog, Toby. Clark decided to try the back of the house. "At the French doors in the back, there was also no response," Clark said. "It was about this time that Toby jumped up at the door and pulled the curtain back. It was just enough so that I could see her (the employee's) foot at the edge of the bed." Clark was looking to gain access to the home when Turko arrived on the scene with her husband. Using a rock, Clark broke through the glass on the door to gain entry and found the employee unresponsive. He called emergency personnel who arrived on the scene quickly and followed them to the hospital. Turko and her husband stayed behind to board up the door and secure the home. Clark was able to reach one of the employee's family members out of state and stayed watch at the hospital for much of the evening until they arrived the next morning. Then and during the employee's subsequent recovery, Clark has continued to be an excellent wingman, Turko said. "He (Clark) really looks out for his employees," Turko said. "Not only as it relates to projects and job issues, but he takes the time to be aware of individuals and their circumstances. When he saw that she was not in the office, he made the extra effort to go and check on her himself. He went above and beyond -- reaching out to her family, making sure the hospital had her insurance information and taking care of things until her family could arrive. As she's recovered, he's worked to get her into the leave donation program and to make the transition back easy for her." The employee herself is extremely appreciative of both Clark's and Turko's efforts. "Dale and Julianne were both heroes that day in my book, and words cannot express how grateful I am to both of them," the employee said. The event underscored the importance of keeping emergency information up-to-date, the employee said. "I worked in (the Pentagon) on 9/11/01 and knew how important it is to make sure your boss has your next of kin information," the employee said. "As a former Air Force supervisor, I would offer the advice to current supervisors to know your employees' start times, habits and make sure you have current, up-to-date next of kin information." Clark is humbled by the notion that he's a hero. "I don't feel like a hero," Clark said. "I think it's incumbent on supervisors and coworkers to look out for each other and do all they can to support each other. Other members of our team also noticed and commented on her absence that morning. I was lucky to be in a position with enough of the facts to recognize that there was a problem." In recognition of his efforts that day, Clark was recently awarded the Command Civilian Award for Valor. "I can't think of a more deserving person," the employee said. Toby has also been hailed as a hero, Clark said. "Toby is a Maltese rescue dog and thinks he's a Doberman," the employee said. "He now wears a dog tag that says, 'Toby the Hero May 2015'."