Born and raised in the City of Milwaukee, Sheriff Clarke played on the championship varsity basketball team at Marquette University High School. He went on to earn a degree in Criminal Justice Management from Concordia University Wisconsin, graduating summa cum laude. As part of his ongoing educational studies, he also graduated from the prestigious FBI National Academy and the National Executive Institute in Quantico, Virginia.

Over the past three-and-a-half decades, his career in law enforcement has spanned multiple assignments. His journey of service began with the Milwaukee Police Department in 1978, where he helped protect the city for 11 years as a patrol officer on the streets. After promotion to Detective in 1989, he was assigned to the Homicide Division, investigating close to 100 homicides a year as part of a team and making arrests in over 80% of cases.

His leadership was recognized again in 1992, with a promotion to Lieutenant of Detectives, and in 1996, when he was promoted to the rank of Captain of Police, with assignments as Commander of the Crimes Against Property Division, the departments First District (downtown), and the Intelligence Division.

In 2002, Sheriff Clarke won his first election as Sheriff with a margin of 64%. In 2006, he garnered 73% of the vote, proceeding to win 74% in 2010.

Sheriff Clarke won the 2013 Sheriff of the Year Award from the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association for, “Demonstrating true leadership and courage…and staying true to the people he has promised to serve and protect.”