Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff David Clark was shot and killed as he and another deputy were escorting three prisoners from the court inside the DeWitt Town Hall. On the evening of February 10, 1987, after the deputies recuffed the inmates and were walking into the foyer, one of the prisoners grabbed the other deputy's gun and opened fire, striking Deputy Clark and shooting the other deputy three times. Deputy Clark was transported to Crouse Irving Memorial Hospital, where he passed away at 1:10 a.m. The subject, a convicted felon who had been released from prison in December 1986 despite being denied parole in August 1986, was convicted of first-degree murder and first-degree attempted murder. He was sentenced to life plus 60 years in prison. He was also sentenced to 20 years on unrelated robbery and drug charges. He will be eligible for parole in 2060. Deputy Clark had served with the Onondaga County Sheriff's Office for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-9376B9A9- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Clark gave the Onondaga County Sheriff's Office 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Syracuse community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Clark.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff David R. Clark is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In NY, 754 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 35.1% of this state's fallen. That is 19.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Onondaga County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. David R. Clark's cause is highlighted.
How David R. Clark Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life plus 60 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. David R. Clark is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. David R. Clark was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Onondaga County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
