Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff William McClain was shot and killed from ambush by a juvenile offender who was seeking retaliation for being arrested.
The subject was convicted of Deputy McClain's murder and sentenced to life in prison. He was pardoned by Governor Emmet O'Neal on November 28, 1912.
Deputy McClain had served with the Elmore County Sheriff's Office for four years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and nine children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AL-D1218E1F- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff McCain gave the Elmore County Sheriff's Office 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Wetumpka community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff McCain.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff William L. McCain is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In AL, 405 of 643 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63% of this state's fallen. That is 8.8 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Elmore County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William L. McCain's cause is highlighted.
How William L. McCain Compares
Offender Outcome
Pardoned in 1912
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William L. McCain is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William L. McCain was killed by shotgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Elmore County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
