Community pays final respects to Manatee County deputy who died from COVID-19
Deputy Douglas Clark (Photo: Manatee County Sheriff's Office)
BRADENTON, Fla. - A Manatee County deputy was laid to rest Thursday after a nearly two-week long battle with COVID-19.
Friends, family, and colleagues honored Deputy Douglas Clark today at his celebration of life service. It was held at Simmons Loop Baptist Church in Riverview.
Clark passed away last Thursday. He had been with the Manatee County Sheriff's Office since 2008.
His supervisor shared these words about him today.
"He really cared about people, he really cared about the inmates he worked with. He treated them with respect," Major Tom Porter offered. "He was an ideal guy to be an employee of the Manatee County Sheriff's Office and we're very sad today."
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The 67-year-old’s vaccination status was never disclosed.
Deputy Clark is one of three local officers who died from COVID-complications within the past two weeks. On Tuesday, a service was held to honor Officer Michael Weiskopf of St. Petersburg. On Monday, the community paid their final respects to Polk County Deputy Christopher Broadhead.