USCG Crewman Killed at Channel Islands
December 5, 2012 – Channel Islands, Southern
California
Chief Petty Officer Terrell Horne III was killed Sunday by suspected smugglers off the Channel Islands.
© 2012 USCG / Lt. Stewart Sibert
US Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Terrell Horne III, 34, was killed near the Channel Islands on Sunday when a
panga driven by suspected smugglers rammed the
inflatable that Horne and another crewmember were in, said the Coast Guard. The USCG
cutter Halibut had been alerted by a C130 aircraft to the presence of a
panga in the vicinity. Since the islands are known to be a popular drug and human smuggling drop-off point,
Halibut moved to intercept.
Horne and a crewmate boarded a CG
inflatable to give chase but, according to the Coast Guard, as they approached, the
panga turned and rammed them at full speed, throwing both crewmen into the
water. Another CG
boat intercepted the
panga and arrested the two suspects aboard. There was no comment on whether drugs were found.
Horne suffered a traumatic
head injury and was pronounced dead when he was brought ashore. "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," said Admiral Robert J. Papp, Coast Guard Commandant.
- latitude / ladonna