ISLE OF WIGHT
On Tuesday afternoon in Isle of Wight County Circuit Court, Judge Carl Eason swore in Maj. James R. Clarke as interim county sheriff. Clarke had previously served as chief deputy under Sheriff Mark A. Marshall, who announced his resignation earlier this year. He has gone to operate a family-run business on the Eastern Shore.

Clarke assumed command of the Sheriff’s Office on Thursday.

In addition to previously serving as chief deputy of the Sheriff’s Office, Clarke’s law enforcement experience also includes service with the Smithfield Police Department. Clarke came to the Isle of Wight County Sheriff’s Office in 2012. He is also a 2014 graduate of the FBI National Academy and previously served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve.

There will be a special election for the office of sheriff of Isle of Wight County on Tuesday, July 24 of this year. Clarke has announced his intentions to run for the position, as has Lt. James W. Pope, a current Isle of Wight County sheriff’s deputy.