Deputy First Class Douglas Lynn Clark

Deputy First Class Douglas Lynn Clark

Manatee County Sheriff's Office, Florida

End of Watch Wednesday, August 25, 2021

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Douglas Lynn Clark

Deputy First Class Douglas Clark died from complications as a result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty.

Deputy Clark had served with the Manatee County Sheriff's Office for 13 years and had previously served with the Hardee Correctional Institution. He is survived by his father, wife, six children, and 11 grandchildren.


The Effects of COVID on Law Enforcement

Beginning in early 2020, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the country began to contract COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic. Due to the nature of their job, law enforcement officers were required to work and interact with the community even as the majority of the country was self-quarantined. As a result, hundreds of officers died from COVID-related illnesses and other complications.

Corrections agencies, in particular, suffered tremendous losses due to the constant and close proximity between the corrections officers and large inmate populations. Since March 2020, ODMP has verified that over 900 law enforcement officers have died as the result of a confirmed or presumed exposure while on duty and continues to work with hundreds of other agencies that have suffered a COVID-related death.

Visit ODMP's COVID-19 memorial listing every officer who has died as a result of a confirmed or presumed exposure.

Bio

  • Age 67
  • Tour 24 years
  • Badge Not available

Incident Details

  • Cause COVID19
  • Incident Date Wednesday, August 11, 2021

communicable disease, COVID-19

Most Recent Reflection

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On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, our thoughts and prayers are with the immediate family Deputy First Class Douglas Lynn Clark and the extended law enforcement family of the Manatee County Sheriff's Office, Florida.


End of Watch Wednesday, August 25, 2021.


Rest in Peace brother and watch over us. We will protect and serve from here on in your honor.

I fight not for glory or fame, for they are momentary. I fight for those who can't. I fight for Justice. I fight for the oppressed and the down trodden. And if I should lose my life for these just causes, then I have no regrets, For I serve to protect the innocent. It matters not where or when, for evil knows no boundaries. Be it fire, flood, or the threat of tyranny, I will not flee. Justice is my weapon. Faith is my shield. Hope is my armor. Cry not at my passing, for it was my Honor to fight for you. Shed not tears of sorrow, But tears of joy, for now, I stand with God.

By Jon F. Hooper

"Greater love hath no man than this; that a man lay down his life for his friends."

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

November 25, 2021

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