Former Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke is joining a pro-Donald Trump political action committee less than a week after abruptly resigning as Milwaukee County sheriff.

"David Clarke is an American patriot, and we are very proud to welcome him to America First," the group's president, Brian O. Walsh, said in a prepared statement.

The outspoken and at times controversial public figure is joining the America First Action super PAC as a senior adviser and spokesman, the organization announced Tuesday.

"I will help make sure we elect the candidates who will do what they promise in support of President Trump's agenda," Clarke said in a statement. "Just as important, I will see to it that the will of the American people is not derailed by the left or the self-serving Washington establishment."

Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke Jr. has announced his resignation as sheriff as of Thursday, Aug. 31, ending his 15-year-run in the post.

"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," Clarke said in a prepared statement Thursday afternoon.

The Stetson-wearing Sheriff's star rose as a virtual surrogate for now-President Donald Trump. Appearances at 2016 campaign events — including a starring role in the Republican Convention — brought Clarke to a national audience.

State Sen. Lena Taylor (D-Milwaukee) did not hold back when she heard the news of Clarke's resignation. "This is truly a good Thursday. I want to thank Sheriff Clarke for his decision to step down. After years of abuse at his hands, the people of Milwaukee can sleep soundly tonight."

According to a WISN report, his resignation came just after 3 p.m. There is no word yet who will step in following Clarke's resignation or when his last effective employment date will be. Gov. Scott Walker will name his replacement as soon as his office receives Clarke's resignation letter.

His letter of resignation stated, "Pursuant to Wis. Stat. 17.01, this communication is submitted as the notice of my resignation as Sheriff of Milwaukee County commencing Aug. 31, 2017, at 11:59 p.m.," according to the Journal Sentinel report.

A Controversial Figure

Elected as a Democrat and the darling of conservative Republicans, Clarke's term as sheriff has seen its share of controversy.

Clarke was a visible surrogate for candidate Trump during the 2016 presidential campaign and a rising star among law-and-order conservatives, fueling some speculation that he would be tapped to lead the Department of Homeland Security.

:: BREAKING NOW: Milwaukee County Clerk confirms @MCSOSheriff @SheriffClarke David Clarke has resigned. Letter received at 3:17pm. pic.twitter.com/IDqUUp5atm

— Steve Chamraz (@TMJ4Steve) August 31, 2017

Clarke announced in a radio interview in May that he'd taken a key Department of Homeland Security job in Trump's administration, only to withdraw his name for consideration a month later.

At that time, Clarke stated that he remains "100 percent committed to the success of President Trump, and believes his skills could be better utilized to promote the president's agenda in a more aggressive role."

In January, Clarke attracted headlines after detaining a man at Mitchell International Airport after the man shook his head at him on a flight from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. Clarke said the man should have kept "his mouth shut," according to a text message from Clarke obtained by the man's attorney.

In a 2016 report, Clarke drew attention for coming out against apparent anti-police sentiments inherent in the Black Lives Matter movement. Clarke said in a Fox News op-ed that, "White America needs to be brave, they need to stand up against this latest attack on the Black community by the likes of Black Lives Matter – to be unafraid to face the condemnation of the powerful but morally reprehensible liberal elites and mainstream media pushing these lies."

Related Reading

Clarke was appointed Milwaukee County sheriff in 2002 by former Gov. Scott McCallum and elected to his first four-year term in 2002.

Clarke, who was registered and elected as a Democrat in Milwaukee County in 2002, has gained notable status as a prominent figure among Republicans and has been featured regularly on Fox News in addition to a spot in the 2016 Republican Convention.

Photo of Sheriff David Clarke speaking at the 2016 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in National Harbor, Maryland. Photo by Gage Skidmore via Wikimedia Commons