Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman David McCain was shot and killed by a suspect stopped in a stolen vehicle around 11:00 pm on Illinois Route 11. After Patrolman McCain had been alerted that a vehicle which had been stolen in Pontiac was seen in nearby Vandalia headed toward Highland, he and a private citizen began looking for it using the citizen's car. Patrolman McCain and the citizen passed two vehicles east of Pocahontas and turned around to follow them, stopping one of the vehicles driven by a woman who gave evasive answers when questioned, but was released. Proceeding back toward Highland, Patrolman McCain and the citizen passed another vehicle whose driver, attempting to evade them by turning around, backed into a ditch. As the suspect exited the vehicle, he feigned intoxication when approached by Patrolman McCain, but as the citizen was halting traffic, the glare from vehicle headlights made Patrolman McCain a target and two shots rang out, striking the officer near the heart. Patrolman McCain returned three shots with his riot gun before directing the citizen to apprehend the suspect. An exchange of gunfire then ensued as the suspect headed toward a field before the citizen returned to Patrolman McCain's aide and transported him to a hospital, but he was pronounced dead upon arrival. The suspect's bullet-riddled body was later found in the field and without any identification. When the body was claimed by the suspect's brother who was evasive when questioned how he became aware of his brother's fate, the supposition was made he had been notified by the woman initially stopped by Patrolman McCain and the citizen and that they had been traveling together. It was also learned that the suspect had been recently released on bond from the Joliet Penitentiary while awaiting an appeal. Patrolman McCain had served with the Highland Police Department for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, father and three sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-960513E1- 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.
Patrolman McCain gave the Highland Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Highland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman McCain.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman David Levi 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 IL, 842 of 1,318 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.9% of this state's fallen. That is 9.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. David Levi McCain's cause is highlighted.
How David Levi McCain Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. David Levi McCain is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. David Levi McCain was killed by handgun.