JONES COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
A law enforcement officer with more than 20 years of service retired last week, in essence wrapping up his third career.
While Jones County Sheriff’s Office Capt. James Clark will no longer be serving the public in law enforcement, he has no intention of curtailing his efforts of teaching self-defense that has been a mission in his life since 1980.
Clark’s first career was serving his country in the U.S. Army as a member of the Airborne Infantry from 1966-87. He received his first black belt in Tae Kwon Do in 1975 while stationed in Korea.
He is currently a Tae Kwon Do third-degree black belt and a master instructor in Chinese Goju.
The soldier attended a hand-to-hand combat instructor course at Ft. Benning and founded the Ft. Benning Tae Kwon Do Club to teach self-defense classes to women in 1980 after a 19-year-old friend was raped and murdered. Clark also boxed while he was in the military.
He has taught over 1,000 women self-defense in Jones County throughout his career here and is committed to continuing that effort.
After retiring from the military, Clark worked at Engelhard for 13 years as a shipping supervisor. He has been with the JCSO since he was hired in 2001, starting as a patrol officer and working his way up through the ranks to that of captain.
His last day with the JCSO was Aug. 5, and a reception was held in his honor.
Clark said his future plans, in addition to teaching self-defense classes, include working with Junior Butts at the Macon Boxing Club. He has worked with the club since 1994 and has helped train amateurs and four professional fighters.
Following his retirement reception, Clark was on his way to Houston to receive lifetime achievement awards as a martial artist in Chinese Goju and Tae Kwon Do and his induction in the Universal Martial Arts Hall of Fame.
