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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
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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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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
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Elmore County Sheriff's Office has lost 4 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 405 officers killed feloniously in AL, 63% of the 643 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William 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 1906, 4 officers in AL were killed feloniously, the 26th heaviest of 131 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 10.
In 1906, 89 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1906, 90 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 75th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 49. Of the 344 killed feloniously in AL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 49; the middle age was 40. William had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
William 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. William had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 49. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 8.6% of these deaths in AL; September holds the most, 9.9%. Saturdays: 15.8%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 4 deaths at Elmore County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63% of all 643 deaths in AL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 9.9% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Elmore County Sheriff's Office has 4 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 12-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Elmore County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
