Caldwell County sheriff loses fight with cancer

27-year lawman won re-election in Nov., diagnosed in Dec.

Saturday, Feb. 3, 2007

By Marcie Young
Charlotte Observer Staff Writer

LENOIR - Caldwell County Sheriff Gary Clark died Friday afternoon, three months after winning a second term and less than two months after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Clark, 47, died at Frye Regional Medical Center shortly after 1 p.m. Friday, said Sheriff's Office Capt. Chris Brackett.

"Caldwell County lost a leader today in a short but courageous fight," Brackett said.

Clark, a former Lenoir Police Department captain, worked in law enforcement for more than 27 years. He was elected sheriff in 2002 and won a second term in November.

A month later, Clark was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, which has few early symptoms, and was hospitalized two weeks ago.

Maj. Alan Jones, who is next in command, will fill the sheriff's role until county commissioners appoint a replacement, according to N.C. law.

"He wanted us to continue to provide professional law enforcement to the county," Brackett said. "That's what we're going to do."

Brackett said the Sheriff's Office, which flew the state and American flags at half-staff Friday, has asked the public to pray for Clark and his family, including wife Kim and daughters Megan and Michelle.

"He was my friend before he was my boss," Brackett said.

Funeral arrangements had not been made Friday afternoon.


All content © THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER and may not be republished without permission.