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Incident
Lieutenant McLain suffered a fatal heart attack when he was assaulted at a shots fired call. He and another deputy had responded to the call and encountered two intoxicated men. One of the suspects pulled a knife on the two officers, who then called for backup. One of the suspects then struck Lieutenant McLain on the head. As the lieutenant pulled out his service revolver he suffered a heart attack and collapsed.
Lieutenant McLain had served with the Houston County Sheriff's Office for 10 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army, salute.nw. One record, 3 gates. Fred is one person.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Lieutenant McLain gave the Houston County Sheriff's Office 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Dothan community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant McLain.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Fred McLain served in the U.S. Army (1946â1947) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Houston County Sheriff's Office has lost 3 officers; 1 of them lost to cardiac events.
Fred is one of 30 officers lost to cardiac events in AL, 4.7% of the 643 remembered there.
Fred is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Fred is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1980, 1 officer in AL was lost to cardiac events, the 7th heaviest of 22 years on record. The heaviest was 1973, with 3.
In 1980, 16 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 24th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1980, 16 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 24th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Fred was 53. Of the 29 lost to cardiac events in AL whose age is recorded, half were between 46 and 56; the middle age was 48. Fred had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 14 years.
Fred was 53. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. Fred had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Fred was 53. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. Fred had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
October holds 20% of these deaths in AL, more than any other month. Sundays: 30%.
October holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Sundays: 13.9%.
October holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 13.9%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths at Houston County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 643 deaths in AL, the 3rd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.8% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
His people
Houston County Sheriff's Office has 3 officers remembered here, Fred among them.
Military Service
Fred McLain served in the U.S. Army (1946–1947) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Fred McLain’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 23-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Houston County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
