Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

NEVER FORGET! Please help me honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Lieutenant Ray R. "Joe" Clark of the Washington County Sheriff's Office, Ohio and the additional 89 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer (Retired)
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

February 7, 2024

Lt Clark

Thank you for your service and sacrifice. I just saw your story on a TV show today and wanted to say I appreciate your service in your community. To your family I send you all my thoughts and prayers even though I don't know Lt Clark.
May you all know he is always with you all.

Tonya LaFarr
Private Citizen, Law Enforcement Supporter

June 11, 2023

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Lieutenant Ray R. "Joe" Clark of the Washington County Sheriff's Office, Ohio and the additional 88 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

February 7, 2023

These men are the best of us. They selflessly put themselves in harm’s way so that we don’t have to. Their sacrifices will never be forgotten. There is no greater human love than to lay down one’s life for another!

Joseph Pedulla
Just a citizen

February 4, 2023

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Lieutenant Ray R. "Joe" Clark of the Washington County Sheriff's Office, Ohio and the additional 84 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

February 7, 2022

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorney Generals Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Deputy Sheriff David Leroy Ford of the Lawrence County Sheriff's Office, Ohio and the additional 83 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

February 7, 2021

Lt. Clark,
On today, the 40th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Washington County. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P:
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

February 7, 2021

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Lieutenant Ray R. "Joe" Clark of the Washington County Sheriff's Office, Ohio and the additional 81 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation

February 7, 2020

Rest in Peace Lieutenant Clark. thank you for your service to your community.

V.K.Mary, 911 Communications Officer, Harris County Sheriffs Office, Houston, in the Great State of Texas

December 25, 2019

Rest in peace Lt. Clark.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 23, 2019

Rest in Peace Lt Clark! I visited the Officer Down Memorial Page today to leave a reflection for my brother ( Patrick Stephen Runyon) and I came upon the reflection page for Lt Clark. While it is heartbreaking to see all the names and ranks of all of these brave men and women in blue it hit me really hard when I read this one. You see I lost my own brother to gunfire while in the line of duty on the exact day and Year as Lt Clark. The next coincidence is that Lt Clark was from Ohio. My whole family is from Ohio , although my brother Pat was living and working in Nueces County Texas at the time of his death.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Lt Clark. I was pleased to see that although it took many many years, that there was finally a conviction in his senseless death.
Rest In Peace Lt Clark !

Sister to Patrick Stephen Runyon

February 7, 2019

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Lieutenant Ray R. "Joe" Clark of the Washington County Sheriff's Office, Ohio and the additional 80 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation

February 7, 2019

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Westerville, Ohio Division of Police, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Lieutenant Ray R. "Joe" Clark of the Washington County Sheriff's Office, Ohio and the additional 80 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Chief Joe Morbitzer
Westerville, Ohio Division of Police

February 7, 2018

RIP Lt. Clark. Glad your family and coworkers finally received justice.

SA Ellen Pierson
DHS

March 15, 2016

Rest In Pease . Thank-you for your Service . God Bless .

Rick Mercurio

September 18, 2014

A hero to more than he knows. ©2004

Emory - Ephrata, WA
brother of Ferry County WA Undersheriff Matthew J Lane, EOW 5/30/2003

September 17, 2014

RIP

citizen

September 17, 2014

I vaguely remember hearing of this case on one of the news channels. It is good that the department never gave up, and that the perpetrator was caught. It is sad, however, that another officer was the alleged perp. I hope justice is served, FINALLY!

Jeff Sanders, Investigator (retired)
Prosecuting Attorney's Office, 90th Judicia Circuit (Indiana)

September 16, 2014

Lt. Clark,
On today, the 12th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacriifce for the citizens of Washington County. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
U.S. Border Patrol

February 7, 2013

Lt. Clark used to play cops and robbers with my brother and I. My father still talks about you to this day. you were respected and missed!!

SSG Adam Sears
US Army

July 26, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 31rst anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect and you will always be honored and revered. I pray for solace for all those that love and remember you for I know the pain and pride are forever. Your family is in my heart's embrace today. Thanks to your sister for sharing in her reflection her devotion to you.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

February 7, 2012

IN HONORE CASORUM
Gone, but not forgotten.

Sgt. T. Jake Jones
Greater Cleveland Transit Police Department

February 7, 2012

I hope to hear someday that your case has been solved. It burns me to think this person got away with what they did to you.

You are not forgotten,

Constable Amanda Pandolfi
York Regional Police, Ontario Canada

February 7, 2011

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE, YOU ARE A HERO JUST BY THE PROFESSION YOU CHOSE. SOME DAY YOUR KILLER WILL MEET JUSTICE.

VANDENBERGHE
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

February 5, 2008

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

January 8, 2008