Nicholas ClarkPrior to serving his community as a New York state trooper, Clark had an impressive athletic career in high school and college in both wrestling and football.
Clark attended Canisteo-Greenwood High School in Canisteo, in western New York, south of Rochester. He was a two-time New York state wrestling championships finalist, placing second in 2005 before winning the title at 189 pounds in 2006. According to his college bio, Clark was a six-time letterwinner in wrestling at the high school.
Clark received a wrestling scholarship to the now-defunct mat program at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. According to his wrestling roster bio, the 6'1" Clark compiled a 16-15 overall record as a freshman. Among his first-season highlights: placing second at the SoCon Championships at 197 lbs. and scoring a team-best nine falls that year.
Clark's UNCG bio also states that he had been recruited by a trio of universities in New York-Binghamton, Cortland, and Ithaca -- and had worked out at the Apex Wrestling Club in Rochester, N.Y.
After one season, Clark transferred to Alfred University not far from his hometown, and where his mother Theresa Gunn is a professor. He was an All-American linebacker while at Alfred, and, in 2012, was invited as a free agent to participate at the spring mini-camp for the NFL Buffalo Bills. His stated goal at that time: a career in professional football.
However, Clark found another career where he could use his athleticism: as a state law enforcement officer. He graduated from the New York State Police Academy in 2015. One year ago, he transferred to the Bath barracks to serve the community where he grew up.
"He was very proud to serve the citizens that he called friends and neighbors," New York State Police Troop E Commander Major Richard Allen said Monday.
"This is a terrible loss for the New York State Police," NYSP First Deputy Superintendent Chris Fiore said at a Monday afternoon news conference in Painted Post attended also by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.
At the press conference Gov. Cuomo said, "He wanted to do one thing, to help people."
Cuomo directed that flags on all state government buildings be flown at half-staff in honor of Clark.
"We hope that you find peace in this senseless act of violence," he said. "There is no reason, there is no point. It just hurts."
Congresswoman Claudia Tenney, of New York's 22nd Congressional District, tweeted Monday afternoon her condolences to the trooper's family and colleagues.
"It is at times like these that we come together and pause to extend our gratitude in all law enforcement across the nation who risk their lives every day to protect us and to keep us safe," Tenney said on Twitter.
In addition to being survived by his mother Theresa Gunn, Nicholas Floyd Clark is also survived by his father Anthony Clark and younger brother Nathan Clark, and a fiancée.
UPDATE JULY 4
Visitation for Nicholas Clark will take place this Saturday from 1:00-6:00 p.m. at the James A. McLane Physical Education Center, Alfred University, 99 N. Main, Alfred, N.Y. Funeral services will take place Sunday at 11:00 a.m. at the same location.
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