Harlan County Sheriff's Office, Kentucky
End of Watch: Saturday, April 17, 1976
Age: 49
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: April 17, 1976
Weapon Used: Officer's handgun
Suspect Info: Shot and killed
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.
Deputy Wilson is survived by his wife, 14 living children, and 15 grandchildren.