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Incident
Lieutenant Joe Clark was shot and killed from ambush while standing in the kitchen of his home in the 400 block of Dodd's Run Road in Marietta. He was struck by a shotgun blast that was fired through his kitchen window. The case remained unsolved until September 16th, 2014, when a former Washington County sheriff's deputy was arrested and charged with Lieutenant Clark's murder. The subject had been fired by Lieutenant Clark in December 1979 for using excessive force while on duty. On October 20th, 2015, a jury was unable to render a verdict and was declared deadlocked. The subject was retried and found guilty of murder on March 11th, 2016. He was subsequently sentenced to life in prison with the eligibility for parole after 15 years. He died in prison on March 18th, 2017. On August 9th, 2017, the offender's conviction was upheld posthumously during the appeal process. Lieutenant Clark had served with the Washington County Sheriff's Office for 14 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, stepdaughter, sister, brother, and parents.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Ray is one person.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Lieutenant Clark gave the Washington County Sheriff's Office 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the Marietta community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Clark.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Ray Richard Clark served in the U.S. Army (1950â1954) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Washington County Sheriff's Office has lost 3 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Ray is one of 572 officers killed feloniously in OH, 57.6% of the 993 remembered there.
Ray is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Ray is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1981, 5 officers in OH were killed feloniously, the 37th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1916, with 17.
In 1981, 126 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 39th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1981, 152 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 32nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Ray was 49. Of the 552 killed feloniously in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. Ray had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Ray was 49. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Ray had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ray was 49. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Ray had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 6.6% of these deaths in OH; December holds the most, 9.6%. Saturdays: 17%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Washington County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 66.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.6% of all 993 deaths in OH, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Washington County Sheriff's Office has 3 officers remembered here, Ray among them.
Where
Military Service
Ray Richard Clark served in the U.S. Army (1950–1954) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Ray Richard Clark’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 51-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Washington County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
