‘Anthony cared deeply about the safety of our city’: Metro Nashville police mourn death of 27-year veteran officer

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - The Metro Nashville Police Department is mourning the death of North Precinct Commander Anthony McClain.

McClain, 53, was a 27-year veteran of MNPD, died Sunday night at Centennial Medical Center after complications from a heart attack that he suffered in his office on the morning of February 13, according to the department.

Chief John Drake appointed him to head operations at the North Precinct, which covers 22% of Davidson County on May 1, 2021.

“Anthony was a dear friend to many and was extremely devoted to the safety and betterment of the North Nashville Community,” said Chief Drake. “In his four short years at the North Precinct, Anthony was a fixture at community events, church services, and personally worked with residents to solve problems. Nothing gave Anthony more satisfaction than to help people. He was exceptionally proud of the men and women of the North Precinct and their positive work in neighborhoods. I am fond of a picture showing his humble smile as he joined the Nashville Predators last November to deliver Thanksgiving meals to families in his precinct. He relished those helpful moments. Anthony cared deeply about the safety of our city and its people. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.”

McClain also served in the U.S. Air Force from 1989 to 1994. In May 1997, he graduated from Tennessee State University with a degree in criminal justice.

He then began as an MNPD officer trainee in August 1997, graduating later that year.

“He served as a patrolman at the Central Precinct and a detective in the Domestic Violence and Sex Abuse Units prior to his promotion to sergeant in 2007. As a sergeant, he supervised shifts at the East, South, North, and Central Precincts prior to his promotion to lieutenant in 2012. As a lieutenant, McClain led patrol details at the North, South, and West Precincts before his transfer to supervise the Specialized Investigations Division’s Narcotics Unit in 2019. He was promoted to Captain of the police department’s newly created Special Victims Division in December 2020 before assuming command of the North Precinct in 2021,” MNPD said.

Plans are in the works for his visitation and funeral.