Springfield Commission declares day in honor of fallen Clark County deputy

SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield City Commission has officially declared July 24 as Deputy Matthew Yates Day each year in Springfield.

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That was the day Yates died after he was shot and killed by a man when Yates went to check out reports of gunfire at a mobile home park.

Yates was a Clark County Sheriff’s Deputy for 15 years.

“The community is deeply moved and deeply hurt by what happened,” Mayor Warren Copeland said.

“Matthew was a great young man. He was a valuable asset to this community,” Otis Williams, Yate’s uncle said at the meeting.

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The commission also said a prayer at the meeting for Yates’ sacrifice.

Deputy Yates’ widow, Tracy, accepted the proclamation.

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