Losing one of our own

ELIZABETHTOWN – Last week, although it happened on April Fool’s Day, it was no joke.

Rumors and bits and pieces of information were being circulated that Bladen County Sheriff’s Deputy, Capt. Daniel Bryan Clark was dead and his body had been transported to Raleigh for autopsy.

Within 24-hours the notifications from the Bladen County Sheriff’s Department were circulating, confirming that the county, had in fact lost one of their own.

“In a show of support for the loss of one of our own, law enforcement officers will be accompanying the vehicle that will be bringing Captain Daniel Clark home to Bladen County,” the notice posted. “Bladen County Sheriff’s Office asks that all supporters please line the shoulder of the roads of Hwy 87 between Dublin and Elizabethtown on Wednesday, April 3, 2024.”

Knowing that Clark was a K9 handler, questions began to arise concerning his dog, Jaxx.

The Bladen County Sheriff’s Department responded, “Retired K9 Deputy Jaxx with Bladen County Sheriff’s Office will be laid to rest with his handler Capt. Daniel Clark. Capt. Clark continued to care for Retired K9 Jaxx at his home. This decision was made after consulting with a local veterinary and the family of Capt. Clark as Jaxx was in failing health over the past months. Retired K9 Jaxx will be cremated and laid to rest with his handler Capt. Daniel Clark.

Retired K9 Deputy Jax was 10 years old and had eight years of service.”

Suddenly the county had realized that it had lost two courageous souls, and the tributes and well-wishes began to pour in.

“Our family consist of EMS, Fire and Law Enforcement. When one hurts, we all hurt. Yesterday we lost a brother to us all and most importantly a friend. Captain Daniel Clark assisted with several trainings with EMS over the last few years with the biggest one being an active shooter training. He was always a phone call away any time our service needed anything and we will forever be grateful. Thank you for your years of service to not only our county but country as well. You will forever be a hero. “Gone from our sight, but never from our hearts.”

-Bladen County EMT

Clark’s funeral arrangements were posted and the quick-moving events of the week were suddenly coming to a brutal finality.

Friday, April 5, 2024 from 5:00 – 8:00 pm at New Light Church located at 307 Chestnut Street, Bladenboro, NC 28320

Saturday, April 6, 2024 starts at 2:00 pm at New Light Church located at 307 Chestnut Street, Bladenboro, NC 28320. Burial will follow funeral service at Wesley’s Chapel Cemetery located at 2409 Old Peanut Road, Elizabethtown, NC 28337

More tributes:

“Daniel was always willing and ready to visit the children at StoryTime, or respond when we needed assistance. We are so heartbroken. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.” The Bladen County Public Library

Then his obituary came forth and people started realizing that he was not only going to be buried with his dog, but next to his beloved sister Caitlyn Bryan Clark, a prolific dancer who was taken too soon at only 29 years of age – back in 2021.

The following obituary was published on Legacy.com by Bladen-Gaskins Funeral Home & Cremation Services on Apr. 3, 2024. Daniel Matt Bryan Clark, 34, United States Army Veteran/Bladen County Sheriff Deputy of Elizabethtown passed away on Monday, April 1, 2024. He was born in Robeson County on November 1, 1988 the son of Daniel Talbott Bryan and Cynthia Clark. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Hugh and Mona Dean Clark, paternal grandparents Howard and Marjorie Bryan, his brother Jeremy Moss, sister Caitlyn Bryan Clark, uncle Kenneth Bryan and aunt Ellen Jane Bryan. Left to cherish his memory are his father Daniel Bryan of Tar Heel, mother Cynthia Clark Russell (Terry) of Elizabethtown, one daughter Kaylee Clark and her mother Jaime Clark of China Grove, two stepsons Austin Brown of Wilmington, Ethan Brown (Christian) of Tar Heel, one brother Anakin Russell of Elizabethtown, one grandson Bentley Brown, aunt and uncle Alec and Cindy Clark, and cousins Katherine Clark and Alex Clark (Charlotte). The family will receive friends on Friday, April 5, 2024 from 5-8 pm at New Light Church in Bladenboro. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 6, 2024 at 2:00 pm at New Light Church. A burial will follow the services in the Wesley’s Chapel Cemetery in Elizabethtown. The Reverend Al Marshburn, Reverend Warren Hill, Reverend Cameron McGill, Reverend Donald Daniel and Reverend Lamont Hemminger will officiate the service. To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

The wake was packed with people and service vehicles, but just a drop in the ocean compared to the funeral itself as the parking lots could not hold another vehicle. Police, Highway Patrol, Sheriff’s vehicles, EMT vehicles, an honor guard bus and hundreds of mourners who came to say thank you and to remember what he meant to Bladen County.

A perfect quote that when spoken will overwhelm with the sentiment and outpouring of support that Clark had at his death. Each man is not without his own set of challenges, and whether it was as an Army veteran or a police officer or just juggling the needs of a community and a family at the same time, Daniel Clark changed his little corner of the world. He made a difference here. Not just an appearance.

And like a shooting star, he has gone.

The quote that was very evident in the midst of the comments during the week and at the funeral and even at the graveside at Wesley’s Chapel Church, was thus:

“A heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others.” – L.F. Baum.

Daniel Matt Bryan Clark – End of Watch 04-01-24.

Mark DeLap is a journalist, photographer and the editor and general manager of the Bladen Journal. To email him, send a message to: mdelap@bladenjournal.com