Coast Guardsman Killed: Officer Terrell Horne III Dead, Boat Rammed by Suspected Smugglers During Counter-Drug Operation Chase
Chief Petty Officer Terrell Horne III, a US coast guardsman stationed near Santa Cruz Island, CA, was killed Sunday morning (Dec. 2) after a suspected smugglers vessel rammed into his inflatable US Coast Guard boat during a counter-drug operation sea chase. According to authorities, Horne was pronounced dead after his body was brought ashore at Port Hueneme after the high-speed chase on Sunday - one other guardsman was also injured during the operation.
According to reports, Horne and a group of other guardsmen were deployed on a small inflatable boat from the Marina del Rey-based Coast Guard cutter Halibut in order to intercept a suspected Mexican drug smuggling boat disguised as an open, low-sided fishing vessel commonly known as a panga. When the guardsmen approached the panga with flashing blue lights, the boat swerved toward the inflatable vessel at high speeds and struck it before fleeing. Horne and another officer were thrown overboard. The crash occurred near the Channel Islands, just north of Malibu.
Horne died after suffering a traumatic head injury - the other wounded guardsman was transported to the hospital to be treated for minor injuries.
Another Coast Guard vessel was deported by a Coast Guard maritime patrol aircraft to catch the fleeing panga - two suspects were eventually detained. Coast Guard spokesman Adam Eggers said he could not immediately comment as to whether drugs were actually found aboard the boat.
Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Robert J. Papp stated, "Our fallen shipmate stood the watch on the front lines protecting our nation, and we are all indebted to him for his service and sacrifice.
Halibut's commanding officer Lt. Stewart Sibert said in tearful a press conference held on Monday, Dec. 3 - that he and his crew were devastated by the loss of the man he called the best shipmate he had ever known.
"He was my friend, he was my confidante, he was the glue that held my crew together. He gave me advice more times than I could count." According to Sibert, he and his crew are completely devastated by the loss of Horne, the "best shipmate he had ever known."
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano also expressed her condolences to Horne's family and friends and fellow Coast Guard personnel, reminding everyone that this tragedy is "a reminder of the dangers men and women in uniform face daily while protecting the nation."