Police Agencies to Pitch In to Cover Simi Today : Law enforcement: Nearly every member of the department will be at slain officer’s service. Meanwhile, sheriff’s deputies and others will patrol city.

Virtually the entire Simi Valley Police Department will be in Westlake Village today for the funeral of their slain colleague.

But authorities say that doesn’t mean the criminals can play while the police are away.

“There’s certainly no diminishment in the coverage that the city will have,” said Lt. Arve Wells of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, which will help patrol the city today.

The replacements will work from 6:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., providing patrol and emergency services while the Simi Valley Police Department’s business offices remain closed. That will allow Simi Valley police officers to attend the funeral of Officer Michael Clark.

The Ventura County sheriff’s deputies patrolling Simi Valley today are familiar with the city because they regularly travel through the city streets on their way to territory nearby, Wells said. The Oxnard police dispatchers answering the phones at the Simi Valley police station regularly use similar telephone and radio equipment, said Sgt. Bob Gardner of the Simi Valley Police Department.

They will all be supervised by a Simi Valley lieutenant serving as watch commander, a Simi Valley police sergeant serving as field supervisor, and a Simi Valley police dispatcher supervising the communications operation, Gardner said.

“We don’t anticipate any problems whatsoever,” Gardner said.

The Sheriff’s Department will supply six patrol deputies, two traffic officers, a traffic cadet, and a supervisor, Wells said. The Oxnard Police Department will supply four dispatchers, Gardner said.

Both agencies offered their services without reimbursement, Gardner said. Wells said that while it is unusual for the Sheriff’s Department to perform routine patrol services outside its jurisdiction, the assistance in this case is covered under mutual aid agreements among Ventura County public safety agencies.

Nevertheless, Simi Valley officials said they appreciated the help.

“We are extremely grateful to them and very, very thankful,” Gardner said.

Police are expecting more than 4,000 law enforcement officers from around the state to attend the funeral, scheduled for 10 a.m. at St. Jude’s Church in Westlake Village. Burial will follow at Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks Mortuary in Westlake Village.

Clark was shot and killed in uniform Friday by a man police said was a suicidal high school teacher. Daniel A. Tuffree, 48, was charged Tuesday with capital murder and six other criminal counts.

Gardner said that, in addition to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department and the Oxnard police, several other departments offered assistance.

“We had volunteers from I don’t know how many agencies,” he said. “We appreciate it tremendously.”

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Services for Slain Officer

What: Funeral for Simi Valley Police Officer Michael F. Clark

Who: Auxiliary Bishop Armando Ochoa and retired Msgr. Thomas O’Connell will preside. Gov. Pete Wilson, Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Simi Valley), Los Angeles Police Chief Willie Williams and more than 4,000 police officers from all over the state are expected to join Clark’s friends and family.

When: Services begin at 10 a.m.

Where: St. Jude’s Catholic Church, 32032 W. Lindero Canyon Road, Westlake Village. Burial to follow at Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks Mortuary, 5600 Lindero Canyon Road, Westlake Village.