Coast Guardsman Dies off Coast of California

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Melitzank

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Chief Petty Officer Terrell Horne, 34, died Sunday after he was struck in the head by the suspect vessel near the Channel Islands, west of Los Angeles and about 180 miles northwest of the U.S.-Mexico border.

Horne is the first law enforcement official to die on California’s seas since a spike in illegal activity began several years ago, said Ralph DeSio, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesman.
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http://www.washingtonpost.com/natio...832840-3ce2-11e2-8a5c-473797be602c_story.html

A lot of people tend to overlook the Coast Guard when thinking of the military; this is a prime example of how much the CG helps America. They might not be breaking down doors in Afghanistan, but they do just as good a job in protecting our borders as the other branches do in protecting our country overseas.

RIP Chief Petty Officer Horne.
 
My deepest condolences to CPO Horne's family.

Thank you for your service and ultimate sacrfice.

Semper Paratus
 
Coast Guardsman Dies...

My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and to the United States Coast Guard. Thanks for protecting our shores.

God Bless and God Speed,

RGK
 
RIP Chief Horne.


Not exactly sure why the Washington Post went with a quote from CBP. I also don't agree with his assertion that Chief Horne was the first LEO to died in California waters. I can think of an entire U.S. Coast Guard HC-130 that crashed off of the California coast, in 2009, killing 7 Coasties and 2 Marines. At least a few of those Coasties were LEOs, but maybe Adam Eggers didn't get that question.

The CO of Halibut was a 2007 or 2008 CGA grad I believe.
 
This is a sad story. I did this mission out there for just over a year and always wondered when these guys would take offensive action as they generally tried to outrun the cutters. I ran into BMC a few times in the San Diego area when the HALIBUT pulled in and served with him for a few months on CGC DALLAS as a 3/c cadet and remember him being a great guy. Definitely a big loss for the Coast Guard.

And don't think the Coast Guard doesn't serve overseas. In fact BMC Horne served under Navy 6th fleet in support of training operations with West African countries and delivered aid to Georgia during their conflict with Russia in 2008 while aboard CGC DALLAS.
 
May have run into the BMC in Rota before DALLAS headed back to the states. I was there for a DOD outreach program.
 
Semper Paratus and RIP Chief Horne. Little recognized and little appreciated.
 
Street in Emerald Isle renamed after fallen Coast Guardsman

5183d3336007b.image.jpg

The children of Senior Chief Petty Officer Terrell Horne III look at the street signs
given to them in honor of their father who died in the line of duty. A ceremony was held
Thursday to change the address of the Emerald Isle Coast Guard Station, where he
was stationed for two years. (Cheryl Burke photo)

A dedication ceremony was held at U.S. Coast Guard Station Emerald Isle Thursday morning, to rename Station Street to Terrell Horne lll Way. Horne’s wife, Rachel, and their three young sons attended the ceremony, where the boys helped unveil the new street sign that bears their father's name.

Horne is credited for saving at least 38 lives while he was working as the second-in-command at the Emerald Isle station.

But on Dec. 2, 2012, the 34-year-old was killed while chasing drug smugglers in the waters near the Santa Cruz Island, Calif., investigators said.

Horne was sent out to investigate a fishing vessel, believed to be filled with drugs, when that boat rammed Horne's vessel, sending him and another Coast Guardsman overboard, according to investigators. Both were taken to a hospital, where Horne was pronounced dead. Medical officials said he died from being hit on the head by a propeller.

Coast Guardsmen said they later caught up with the vessel that rammed Horne's boat. Two Mexican nationals aboard were arrested and charged in Horne's death.
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Emerald Isle is a beautiful Station and I have ridden by their station many times on my bike. Wonderful place out at the end of Coast Guard Road. Terell Horne III Way. :thumb: Beautiful family and a fitting tribute.
 
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