On Tuesday, Halifax County Sheriff Fred S. Clark announced he’s seeking a fourth term of office in the November election.
“I will continue to place the safety of the community as the primary focus of my administration,” Clark wrote in a statement focusing on his accomplishments over the last 12 years. “I will remain accessible to all citizens, continuing the open-door policy that began the day I took the oath of office as sheriff of Halifax County.”
Clark cruised to a third four-year term in the November 2019 election in a landslide victory.
Clark touted his community involvement, along with specialized enforcement and crime prevention programs as the cornerstones of his administration.
“I, along with my staff, deputies and investigators have worked tirelessly to provide transparency, accessibility, and accountability to the citizens we are sworn to protect and serve,” he said in a statement. “We are dedicated to providing exceptional law enforcement services to our community, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, even during the height of the COVID pandemic.”
His incumbent sheriff’s public service began at age 16 when he joined the Liberty Volunteer Fire Department as a junior fireman. Clark served as fire department treasurer for 15 years and has served on the board of trustees for the past 18 years.
His law enforcement career initially spanned a nine-year period, serving as a jail officer and then a field deputy under several administrations.
Transitioning to the private sector, Clark and his wife, Beverly, ran a successful country store for more than 16 years.
Eight years of Clark’s “civilian life” were dedicated to the Supreme Court of Virginia as a magistrate in Halifax County, according to his campaign release.
Clark currently serves on regional boards including the Blue Ridge Regional Jail Authority and the Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program. He’s also active with numerous civic and community organizations.
On the state level, Clark serves as the president of the Virginia Sheriffs’ Association.
“As president of the VSA, I am afforded the opportunity to work with other sheriffs and deputies by providing a forum for the exchange of professional ideas and information in response to public demands for better training in crisis intervention, drug interdiction, and community policing,” Clark said. “Having the opportunity to work closely with legislators, as well as the governor’s staff, in addressing community issues is critically important to the overall success of sheriffs’ offices throughout the commonwealth.”
Priding himself in relationship-building with other agencies, Clark said he often uses unconventional methods to build comradery — as well as cooperation — between law enforcement departments.
He touted that by working closely with local, state, and federal authorities the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office has made major strides in narcotics enforcement and interdiction.
“We have to network with all levels of law enforcement if we are to slow the pace of illegal drugs entering our community and poisoning our children,” Clark said. “Fentanyl deaths are at an epidemic level in our country and we have to remain vigilant in our efforts to combat the influx of this deadly drug.”
As a member of Blue Ridge Thunder — a computer crimes task force having national exposure — the sheriff’s office is participating in a highly specialized computer crimes unit that targets child predators and child pornography.
“Social media is the gateway in influencing our young people to fall prey to internet-based criminal activity,” Clark said in his statement. “We have an obligation to protect our children from exposure to the monsters on the internet.”
The sheriff said community involvement and community policing are the most important aspects of any successful law enforcement.
“Our communities — every man, woman, and child — must feel included in our mission to protect and serve,” he said.
To that end, the sheriff’s office has played a pivotal role in promoting National Night Out each year with attendance swelling to 2,000 participants annually.
“The Law Enforcement Easter Egg Hunt, a collaboration with other agencies, civic groups, and community organizations, provides an opportunity for young people to interact with police officers in a fun and positive environment,” Clark said.
“Our Stuff the Cruiser Program, a partnership with Halifax County Public Schools and the multitude of citizens who so graciously donate toys, coats and gloves, ensures that no child-in-need will be without a gift at Christmas each year,” the sheriff added.
“The HCSO Public Safety Youth Camp, held in June, helps teach young people about law enforcement, EMS, fire and rescue professions,” he explained. “The weeklong day camp was created for the purpose of providing a fun, enriching and educational introduction to the world of public safety. Young people have the opportunity to explore potential career options while learning lifesaving skills in a week-long, team-building environment.”
During Clark’s 12-year tenure, the sheriff’s office has re-established the Community Watch Program as well as developed several community-based programs like Church Security, Business Checks and School Checks.
The Church Security program addresses building security and personal safety, including identity theft protection and scam prevention.
The Business Check program encourages deputies to randomly perform security checks of county businesses throughout their patrols.
The School Check program mimics the business program with the exception that these random checks are made during the school day with deputies actively engaging students and staff at the respective schools.
Clark also hinted at adding several other programs, one of which will address the growing number of seniors, and citizens with major health issues, who have limited resources for individual monitoring.
“Working closely with the county Administrator and board of supervisors, I was able to secure additional funding for pay raises and much needed equipment for my deputies to protect our citizens better,” Clark said. “I will continue to network with state and local officials to increase funding for law enforcement throughout the commonwealth of Virginia.”
Recently appointed as a vice president of the Virginia Association of Local Elected Constitutional Officers, Clark said he brings a wealth of resources into play in lobbying for law enforcement.
Adding to his accomplishments, the sheriff was recently awarded the Distinguished Service Award for Outstanding Leadership in Halifax County and the commonwealth of Virginia by the Halifax/South Boston NAACP.
The Clarks have three sons — Cullen, Sam and Isaac — and have been married for 35 years, living in the Liberty community and attending Catawba Baptist Church where Fred serves as a deacon.
“For over 40 years, I have lived and dedicated my life in service to Halifax County and its citizens, I have not wavered in my love and devotion to my community and cherish the relationships my family and I have enjoyed with people from all walks of life,” Clark said. “Building on the foundations established 12 years ago when I first took the oath of Office, I am as determined as ever to continue the success story that is the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office.”
While no formal announcement has been made, Darnell Barksdale, a former captain with the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office, has qualified for the November ballot, according to Halifax County Registrar Heather Harding, setting up a ballot battle in the race for sheriff.
Other constitutional offices up for grabs in November include clerk of court, commissioner of revenue, treasurer and commonwealth’s attorney.
“I have been honored to serve my community as Sheriff for the last twelve years and humbly ask for your support and vote, on Nov. 7,” Clark said. “As always, my motto remains to be ‘working together to build a safer community.’ With your continued support, we can keep moving forward making Halifax County a much better and safer place to live and prosper as a diverse community. Thank you and May God bless you and your family.”
In additional to the constitution offices, voters also will choose a candidate for the state Senate in District 9 and a local delegate in Districts 49 and 50.
Board of supervisors in Districts 1, 4, 5, 7, 8 and the tie-breaker are also on the ballot, along with school board seats for District 1, 4, 5, 7 and 8.
There also are three director seats available on the Halifax County Soil and Water Conservation District.
For more information, contact Clark at clarkforsheriff@gmail.com, P.O. Box 1623, Halifax, VA 24558 or 434-349-5353.
