Thomas “Tommy” McClain

How they died

Deadly force

From the EPD press release: Officers from the Eureka Police Department were looking for two subjects wanted on felony warrants.An officer observed two men arguing. One of the men appeared have a handgun. Fearing the argument was escalating, he summoned additional officers who then confronted the man with the gun. A Eureka Police officer fired his weapon killing him. "Police say McClain was shot while reaching for what appeared to be a handgun tucked in his waistband – that turned out to be an unloaded BB gun – after defying a series of commands to keep his hands up. McClain's family and one witness in the four-day trial maintain his hands were raised and he was attempting to comply with conflicting commands from three officers when he was hit by gunfire."

Why we remember them

This record exists so that Thomas “Tommy” McClain, and all who are named in this archive, are never reduced to a number.

References & sources