Willard Police Chief Undergoes Lung Transplant Surgery

Tom McClain was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis and had been searching for a viable donor match.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 3:51am

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A translucent, ghostly X-ray image of a pair of human lungs, glowing with a soft, blue-tinged light against a dark background, conceptually representing the fragility and resilience of the human body.An organ donor's gift offers a second chance at life for a community leader in need of a life-saving lung transplant.Willard Today

The Willard, Missouri community is rallying behind Police Chief Tom McClain as he underwent a double lung transplant surgery. McClain, who was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, had been searching for a viable donor match. He and his family were alerted on Tuesday night that a match had been found, and he underwent the transplant surgery on Wednesday afternoon at a hospital in St. Louis.

Why it matters

Lung transplants are a critical procedure for those suffering from end-stage lung diseases like pulmonary fibrosis. The surgery offers a chance at a longer, healthier life, but the process of finding a suitable donor is extremely challenging. McClain's story highlights the importance of organ donation and the impact it can have on individuals and their communities.

The details

Prior to the surgery, McClain recorded a video message on social media thanking the Willard community for their support and prayers over the past few months. His daughter, Ashley Ensley, said the experience was filled with both hope and fear, but that McClain remained optimistic heading into the operating room. If all goes well, McClain will remain in the hospital for two weeks and then move nearby for about three months as he recovers.

  • McClain and his family were alerted on Tuesday night that a donor match had been found.
  • McClain underwent the double lung transplant surgery on Wednesday afternoon.

The players

Tom McClain

The police chief of Willard, Missouri who was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis and underwent a double lung transplant surgery.

Ashley Ensley

McClain's daughter, who expressed gratitude for the organ donor and the support the Willard community has shown her father.

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What they’re saying

“You just don't know what's going to be on the other side of that phone call.”

— Ashley Ensley, McClain's daughter

“I just want to thank you guys for all the prayers and support that we've received over the course of these last few months. I cannot express my gratitude for what you guys have said and done over the course of this several months.”

— Tom McClain, Willard Police Chief

“It's very heavy to know that someone passed away, and that's giving my dad a second chance at life. And we're just so, so thankful, and definitely offering our prayers and comfort to the family that lost a loved one that's making this possible. That's giving us the gift of life for our dad.”

— Ashley Ensley, McClain's daughter

What’s next

If all goes well, McClain will be staying in the hospital for two weeks, then will move nearby for about three months as he recovers.

The takeaway

This story highlights the critical importance of organ donation and the profound impact it can have on individuals and their communities. McClain's journey underscores the challenges of finding a suitable donor match, but also the hope and gratitude that can emerge when a match is found.