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Former Erie County D.A. Frank Clark has passed away

Posted at 11:27 AM, Sep 23, 2017
and last updated 2017-09-23 11:29:18-04

After dealing with a long illness former Erie County District Attorney Frank Clark has passed away at the age of 74. 

Clark was the second longest serving D.A. in Erie County history, leading for three terms from 1997-2008. 

The former District Attorney was a Brooklyn native who saw combat as a Marine in the Vietnam War, according to a release from the District Attorney's Office. 

He also worked as a prosecutor in Erie County in both the District Attorney's Office and U.S. Attorney's Office. 

Politicians in Erie County have expressed their condolences Saturday morning. 

Current Erie County District Attorney, John Flynn released this statement : 

"Although he presided over the prosecution of thousands of cases, he may be best remembered for his decision in 1997 to seek the death penalty for Jonathan Parker who had murdered Buffalo Police Officer Charles Skip McDougald; a jury convicted Parker, but spared his life. D.A. Clark’s dedication to upholding the law and fighting for justice left an indelible impression on those he worked with and the public he served. We ask that you keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers." 

The Erie County Democratic Committee Chair, Jeremy Zellner released the following statement to Eyewitness News: 

"Our deepest sympathies to Kathy and the rest of the Clark family. We are thankful for the decades of public service that you have given our community." 

Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz took to Twitter this morning to show his condolences: