More than a decade later, the killing of Wendel Clark remains one of Fort Dodge’s most painful and unresolved crimes.
Wendel Clark was just 30 years old when his life was cut short on the morning of October 7, 2015. Police found him unconscious in the driver’s seat of his car in the 10 block of Fourth Avenue Northwest, only about a block from his home. He had been shot twice.
Despite emergency efforts by Fort Dodge Fire Rescue and paramedics from Trinity Regional Medical Center, Clark was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital. An autopsy later confirmed he died from two gunshot wounds, and the Iowa State Medical Examiner ruled his death a homicide.
Earlier that morning, at approximately 6:51 a.m., police had received a report of gunshots in the same neighborhood. At the time, officers were unable to locate a victim or determine exactly what had happened. It wasn’t until later that Clark’s vehicle was discovered parked in an unusual location near a wooded area, having rolled into a fence after the shooting.
Investigators determined Clark had been shot while sitting in the driver’s seat of his car. To this day, authorities have not publicly identified a suspect or established a clear motive.
A Family’s Loss and a Community’s Grief
To those who knew him, Wendel Clark was remembered not for violence, but for kindness.
“He had a smile that lit up the room,” said his cousin, Charles Clayton, executive director of Athletics for Education and Success. Clayton, who once coached Clark in basketball, described him as a positive, generous person who stayed connected to family and friends throughout his life.
Clark’s parents, Thomas and Katherine Clark, have repeatedly pleaded for anyone with information to come forward.
“Somebody knows something out there,” his father said at the time. “I think they’re scared to talk.”
His mother echoed that plea, emphasizing that tips can be made anonymously.
Clark’s family has consistently said he had no known enemies and was not involved in ongoing disputes. He was a devoted father to ten children, and relatives have expressed deep concern about the lasting impact of his death on them.
Reward Offered, Questions Remain
In an effort to generate leads, Webster County Crime Stoppers offered a $2,500 reward for information leading to an arrest. An anonymous donor later pledged to match that amount if another unsolved homicide in the county was solved as well.
Despite renewed public appeals on the one-year anniversary of Clark’s death in 2016, the case remains open.
Fort Dodge Police Chief Kevin Doty has repeatedly stressed the importance of community cooperation.
“We will do everything we can to protect people who want to come forward with information,” Doty said. “This investigation still needs the public’s help.”
Remembering Wendel Clark
Born January 28, 1985, Wendel Clark was a graduate of Fort Dodge Senior High School, Class of 2003. He was a standout athlete, setting records in basketball, football, and track, and was widely known for his humor and ability to lift others’ spirits.
Family members describe him as someone who loved deeply, laughed often, and would “give you the shirt off his back.”
