A special remembrance service is to be held in Castlecaulfield Church of Ireland this Sunday for a police officer who was murdered by the IRA near Pomeroy 50 years ago.

Sammy Clarke was shot in a sniper ambush while on mobile patrol as an RUC reservist at Clonavaddy.

A fellow policeman, Sergeant Patrick Maxwell, was also killed, and another officer injured in the same attack.

Sammy, who was 53 when he died, left behind a widow and three young children, aged 10, 13 and 15.

RUC Reserve Constable Sammy Clarke, who was killed in an IRA sniper ambush in November 1975.

placeholder image — RUC Reserve Constable Sammy Clarke, who was killed in an IRA sniper ambush in November 1975.

In a statement ahead of Sunday’s service, the adult children said: “Daddy was always in uniform having left home at just 16 years to join the Royal Inniskilling fusiliers and he served in WWII, he had a strong sense of doing the right thing and of making a contribution in pursuance of a better world.

“Then upon returning and on May 1st 1954 he joined the Ulster Special Constabulary known as 'B' specials where he was a Sgt instructor and covered all of tyrone where he was well known and loved and respected.

“He then joined the RUC Reserve in January 1971 and served in the Dungannon area until his murder. He was wounded in the leg in an ambush attack on the Dungannon-Ballygawley road in January 1973.

“Our mother never got over his death visiting the grave just a short distance from our home twice a day. Mother was also in The RUC Reserve and continued to serve even after his death. She was an incredibly strong lady to still feel convicted to play her part, whilst trying to raise us also.

A service marking the 50th anniversary of Reserve Constable Clarke's death is to be held in Castlecaulfield on November 23rd. Credit: Supplied

CCTV review sought as parties unite in condemnation of attack on Glengormley War...

“Daddy had lots of interests beyond Policing, he was also a member of the Howard Memorial Pipe Band for whom he played Drum Major, this mattered greatly to him.

“He had a zest for life and there was no justification for his murder. Our Daddy mattered to us and many others (colleagues and friends).

"There were alternatives, people chose to eliminate him, it was never their right to do so." concluded the statement.

There will be a special service of remembrance and thanksgiving marking the 50th Anniversary of his murder.

The service will take place on Sunday, November 23, at 11.30am in Castlecaulfield Church of Ireland and all are warmly welcomed to attend.

SEFF’s Director Kenny Donaldson added: “Firstly we are honoured to be facilitating the family with the hosting of this service, alongside Castlecaulfield Church of Ireland and the RUC GC, East Tyrone branch.

“We remember R/Const Samuel Clarke and Sgt Patrick Maxwell on this the 50th Anniversary since they were murdered by Provisional IRA terrorists (25/11/1975)

“It is important to remember those innocents who perished at the hands of terrorism, the years may pass but the Truth must always prevail - these men were murdered carrying out their duties as public servants on behalf of the entire community and they came from both Protestant and Roman Catholic traditions.

“Irish Republicanism's mantra is supposedly the unification of people; protestant, catholic and dissenter. To date all that ideology has achieved is the unification of such people in the taking of their lives."