'Large Stature, Gentle Heart': Colleagues Remember Deputy Who Died in Accident

The Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office and Oklahoma Christian School said Deputy Jeremy McCain was a man who "positively affected everyone who was around him," including the children he protected.

Sheriff Tommie Johnson and Oklahoma Christian School Headmaster Al King shared memories of McCain during a news conference Tuesday morning. McCain died on Monday after his squad car crashed into a gate outside the school on March 10. He was 36 years old.

"I think what's the true testament to who he was and his life, his person, is that even after he passed away, he's donating his body, the rest of him, to the community to save other lives. I think that is truly powerful and it truly means what he represented - not only to our office, to the community, but to OCS, the school district," said Johnson. "We will never forget Deputy McCain. He was a true highlight and a light in a lot of our lives. He positively affected everyone who was around him and this is just a tough day for our office as we navigate yet another death."

McCain became the school resource officer at Oklahoma Christian School in 2017, following the footsteps of his brother.

"His brother, Dan, was our first SRO on campus. We loved Dan and when he got deployed to Afghanistan, we didn't think would ever be able to replace somebody of his caliber, and then Jeremy came along and instantly became a part of our school family," said King. "I worked with Jeremy. We officed just down the hall from each other for six years. Somebody said, 'Could you describe - have a Bible verse to describe who he was,' and immediately, 1 Corinthians 13 came to mind. 'Love is patient. Love is kind.' If you know Jeremy, he's a man of large stature. But he had a gentle heart."

King said McCain cared about every one of the 1,141 students on campus.

"I think he knew every single name of every child that walked in those doors every day," said King. "He would stand out in the carpool line, regardless of the weather. He would greet every kid that got out of the cars with a high-five. Over-the-top exuberance and every kid got a welcome and felt special when they came to OCS in the morning."

King said when his students heard about McCain's passing, they were devastated. Counselors were on hand to help the children deal with the grief.

"(Tuesday) morning, we went out and worked carpool without him there and it was very difficult for some of those kids leaving their cars (Tuesday) morning," said King. "Their parents - there were a lot of tears. As I left the building (Tuesday) morning, a young man wrapped up in a blanket just weeping over the loss of a very important adult in his life."

McCain, a single father, often talked about his 7-year-old son. Maj. Charles Avery, McCain's supervisor, shared one of those moments.

"I've always known that his son was autistic and we worked through different things with his son and about a month-and-a-half ago, Jeremy came into my office and we were just kind of hanging out, and he told me his son is nonverbal and he said that he heard his son say his first words about a month-and-a-half ago," Avery recalled. "As Dr. King had said, Jeremy was a very big man. And he told me in the office, he said, 'Man, I can't tell you how happy I was to hear him talk.' And he, of course, said at the time, just completely broke down. And even in my office, we were all kind of, you know, obviously we have to be tough at this job. But even something like that can bring you to tears."

Johnson recalled another fond memory of McCain. It happened at the Grandparents Raising Grandkids event that they both worked.

"There was an Oklahoma City Police cadet, one of the younger kiddos that they mentor and bring up to their programs, and I will tell you - Jeremy McCain absolutely roasted this young man," Johnson said. "It was sweet to see and just made this young kiddo feel a part of our group. It wasn't, 'You're a kid. You can't be with us. You're over there doing your little thing.' (McCain) really brought him in and very inviting. It's not, 'Hey we're over here. You're over there.' I mean the kiddos - you can be in his space. You can take part in what we're doing and just really encouraged him and the jokes that came with it were hilarious."

"And I just think when you look at that, that is what every kid at OCS felt," Johnson continued. "They felt like this guy isn't untouchable. I can reach out. I can talk to him. I can confide in him. He will love me. He will meet me where I am and treat me like any human being would want to be treated." 

A GoFundMe page was set up to help McCain's family.

"Right now, we just want the community to continue to have the family in your thoughts and prayers and the office in your thoughts and prayers," said Johnson. "We have some people that are really hurting because they lost a brother. We lost a guy that we served alongside that we loved tremendously and we're going to represent him well, and it's just hard to be up here and speak to you guys about this. This is very difficult." 

Funeral services for McCain will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at Crossings Community Church at 14600 N. Portland Ave. in Oklahoma City, according to an announcement from Bill Eisenhour Funeral Home. A viewing open to the public will take place from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at Bill Eisenhour Funeral Home at 8805 NE23rd St. in Oklahoma City.

The funeral home also shared the following statement from McCain's family:

“We are deeply moved by the outpouring of support and prayers for Jeremy and our family. These past 10 days since the incident have been tough for sure, however the care from the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office, Oklahoma Christian School, the nurses and staff of OU Medical Center and so many friends, is very much appreciated and something we will always remember."