Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke submits resignation

Updated 10:53 a.m. September 1, 2017:

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Shortly after his resignation became official at 11:59 p.m. August 31, Sheriff Clarke sent out a tweet. The tweet came out at 4:17 a.m. and said "After nearly 40 years serving my community I'm retiring. What a ride! I will announce my future plans next week after the Labor Day holiday."

After nearly 40 years serving my community I'm retiring. What a ride! I will announce my future plans next week after the Labor Day holiday. pic.twitter.com/pYbv7txCEZ — David A. Clarke, Jr. (@SheriffClarke) September 1, 2017

Updated: 4:56 p.m. August 31, 2017:

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke released the following statement on his resignation:

“After almost forty years serving the great people of Milwaukee County, I have chosen to retire to pursue other opportunities. I will have news about my next steps in the very near future.”

Local lawmakers are also responding to Clarke's resignation announcement.

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Posted 3:21 p.m. August 31, 2017:

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Milwaukee County Clerk tells CBS 58 they received a resignation for Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke Thursday afternoon at 3:17 p.m. The resignation is effective at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, August 31.

Sheriff Clarke tweeted at 2:20 p.m. Thursday afternoon saying he was in Nashville for the National Fraternal Order of Police convention.

According to 1130 WISN Radio, Clarke is taking a non-government position. A spokesperson for David Clarke says he will probably announce his new job sometime next week.

Earlier this year, Clarke announced he would take a position in the Department of Homeland Security, however that job never materialized and in June he withdrew his name from consideration.

A statement from Governor Walker's office says they will move forward with the process of filling the vacancy as soon as they are formally notified. The new sheriff who will hold the position until the election in 2018.

Clarke has been sheriff of Milwaukee County since 2002 and spent more than twenty years before that with the city’s police department.

Please see below for his resignation letter.