Sandy McCain
Obtained from Officer Down Memorial Page.
“Gentle man, warm smile, infectious belly-laugh, man of God, family dedication, full of life, helping hand, kindness to all, cherished friend… that is Sandy.”
These words, written by Colleen Ingles Baum on his obituary tribute wall, paint a warm portrait of Wilmot Sandlin McCain, known by friends and family as Sandy. Sandy was born on July 23, 1952 in Natchitoches, Louisiana, to Judge W.T. “Brandy” McCain and Erin Sandlin McCain. A devoted Eagle Scout, he graduated with a BS degree from Northwestern State University in 1977. Sandy worked in the private sector until 1996, when he accepted the position of Administrative Director at Work Training Facility North. Since then, Sandy has served the Department of Corrections with integrity and dedication. As Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections Secretary James LeBlanc, a close friend and colleague of Sandy’s, remarked: “Those who had the opportunity to work closely with [Sandy] will forever respect his work ethic and commitment to the Department of Corrections.”
In 2002, Sandy was promoted to Deputy Warden at J. Levy Dabadie Correctional Center (JLDCC). He was later again promoted to Warden, working in this latter capacity at JLDCC until its closure in 2012. At that time, he accepted the role of Assistant Warden at Raymond Laborde Correctional Center. Though Sandy was promoted to Warden at B.B. Rayburn Correctional Center in Angie, Louisiana, in 2014, he returned to Raymond Laborde Correctional Center in 2016 as Warden and served there until his retirement.
Obtained from Louisiana Department of Corrections via WAFB9.
On Monday, April 20th, 2020, Sandy passed away at Rapides Regional Medical Center after a lengthy battle with COVID-19. He was 66. After testing positive, Sandy, always compassionate and caring, asked the incarcerated people in his care to “wash your hands and stay safe,” according to The Advocate. Sandy is one of three staff members at the Department of Corrections to have passed away from COVID-19.
Sandy lived with a “loving commitment” to his family. He is survived by his lovely wife, Diane Pittman McCain, to whom he was married for 43 years. Together, they have two wonderful sons: Justin McCain, who lives with his wife, Lauren, and Jeremy McCain, married to Katrina. Though Sandy’s brother, W.T. McCain, Jr., passed away before Sandy, Sandy is survived by eight other siblings: Jay McCain, Joe McCain, Linnie Lee, Emily Jo Vallee, Misi Andrews, Laura Moody, Bebe Turner, and Cora McCain. Sandy has seven loving grandchildren--Tucker, Piper, Aniston, Aliyah, Finley, Judson, and Emerson--as well as a host of other adoring nieces and nephews.
Raymond Laborde Correctional Center Warden Sandy McCain with his wife Diane, obtained from KALB.
Sandy was a man of “strong faith” —he served as a deacon at New Prospect Baptist Church, where he was a member for 36 years. He was a Lifetime Ambassador for the United States Jaycees. Friends and colleagues describe Sandy as a “man who leaves a legacy.” According to Richard Stalder, Sandy “was an outstanding leader and, through his wisdom, experience, and faith, an inspiration to all of us.” Mike Elliot “will always remember his uplifting spirit”; Janice Connor “loved to hear him singing with the praise team and in the choir.” She remembers him as a “wonderful example of Christian love and generosity.”
A devoted citizen, professional, friend, and family member, Sandy McCain will be missed dearly.
This memorial was written by MOL team member Frances Keohane with information from his online obituary and reporting by Lea Skene of The Advocate, WAFB Staff of WAFB9, and KALB.