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Incident
Deputy Wilson McLain was shot and killed while off duty, with his own handgun, in an unprovoked attack. He was standing in a market in Lee County, Virginia when a man walked up behind him, took Deputy McLain's revolver out of its holster, and shot him five times. The suspect was shot and killed a few days later by Lee County Sheriff's deputies following a vehicle pursuit and shootout. It is surmised that the suspect shot Deputy McLain either because he was wanted for questioning in a recent robbery or because he was upset that two of his brothers had just been convicted of a 1975 murder.
Survivors
Deputy Wilson is survived by his wife, 14 living children, and 15 grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff McLain served with the Harlan County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Harlan community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff McLain.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Harlan County Sheriff's Office has lost 36 officers; 36 of them killed feloniously.
Wilson is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 remembered there.
Wilson is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Wilson is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1976, 1 officer at Harlan County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 26 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 5.
In 1976, 3 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 77th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 1976, 137 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1976, 162 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 26th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Wilson was 49. Of the 35 killed feloniously at Harlan County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 33.5 and 48.5; the middle age was 44.
Wilson was 49. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41.
Wilson was 49. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Wilson was 49. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
April holds 19.4% of these deaths at Harlan County Sheriff's Office, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.7%.
April holds 9.1% of these deaths in KY; December holds the most, 11.5%. Saturdays: 19%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 36 deaths at Harlan County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 2.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 76.8% of all 984 deaths in KY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 2.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Harlan County Sheriff's Office has 36 officers remembered here, Wilson among them.
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Carlo Brummet Jul 26, 1907
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Samuel Henry Bailey
Nov 15, 1911
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Neil Christian Jul 6, 1912
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George Dean Aug 27, 1916
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Wilburn Taylor Mar 29, 1917
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Richard Johnson Apr 6, 1919
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David L. Elliott Apr 7, 1919
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William Marion Stewart
Jun 2, 1921
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Jesse Peters Jun 30, 1923
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Will Pace
Nov 20, 1925
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Harve Pace
Feb 18, 1926
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James Fee Aug 18, 1926
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Moss J. Metcalf May 21, 1927
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W. Floyd Ball Jul 6, 1928
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John J. Hensley Jul 6, 1928
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Walter Eldridge Mar 1, 1929
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Jessie J. Pace
Apr 17, 1931
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Jim Daniels May 5, 1931
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Arthur Lee May 5, 1931
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Berry Hensley
Sep 26, 1931
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Owen Woodford Sizemore Dec 25, 1931
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Henderson Ramsey Jan 7, 1932
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Isaac Pennington
Apr 16, 1933
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John C. Carnes Apr 20, 1933
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Bige Gross Apr 15, 1934
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William Ray Brittain
Nov 10, 1934
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Guy Rogers Dec 23, 1934
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Frank J. Minton Jan 26, 1936
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Lawrence Johnson Sep 30, 1937
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Joseph Willie Pruitt Mar 20, 1940
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John Middleton Aug 16, 1943
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Clyde Fee
May 9, 1954
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Oscar Burkhart
Nov 7, 1968
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Jack Brock
Dec 7, 1971
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Orie A. Hicks
Oct 8, 1972
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Wilson McLain
Apr 17, 1976
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 10-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
35 officers from Harlan County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
