Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Deputy Sheriff Horton,
On today, the 20th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Bunton County. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol(Retired)

May 14, 2024

It is hard to believe that you have been gone 15 years. I miss your smiles and laughter, even on the rainy days you always had a smile on your face. RIP my friend!

Ellen M.
Franklin County Sheriff's Office

May 14, 2019

Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
God Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

May 14, 2015

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

December 26, 2007

Deputy Horton, you died on the day my only child was born. It's sad to think that while I was becoming a mom, your mom was losing you. Those who aren't in law enforcement will never understand the sacrifices made by the officers and their families. We are a special breed of people Bless your family and friends always.

Wendy, officer
Fla. Dept. of Corrections

October 4, 2007

Three years have passed but you have not been forgotten. Keep watch over your loved ones and those still out on patrol.

Bob Gordon
Father of Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

May 14, 2007

May you rest in peace.G-d Bless.

May 14, 2007

Brother Horton,

May the road rise up to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
And the rains fall soft upon your fields,
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Respectfully,
You’re Brothers in Blue

Untouchables LE Motorcycle Club

January 10, 2006

To the family and friends of Deputy Horton and his fellow deputies with the Franklin County Sheriff's Department:

On behalf of our entire family, I wanted to extend our sincerest condolences on the grievous loss you suffered when Deputy Horton was so tragically killed in the line of duty.

May you continue to be comforted in the warm embrace of support and love from your law enforcement community. Undergoing a devastating experience like this forges bonds between blood families and police families that can never be broken. I also pray that the other wounded officer is recovering from his injuries, the emotional ones as well as the physical ones.

Our family lost our beloved Larry Lasater of the Pittsburg Police Department when he was fatally shot on April 23, 2005 during a foot pursuit of two bank robbers. Larry left a loving wife and his son, born 2 1/2 months after Larry's murder, as well as all his extended family and friends who loved him so much.

I know that Heaven has another hero, but how I wish this tragedy had not happened to Deputy Horton. As Larry and I were born in Durham, North Carolina, I am always saddened when I learn of another fallen officer from our home state.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the many years of service Deputy Horton gave to his community and the citizens of the state of North Carolina, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on May 14, 2004.

Phyllis Loya, mother of fallen officer
Larry Lasater, Pittsburg, CA PD eow 4/24/05

September 11, 2005

As parents of a fallen officer-Sgt. Jeff Hewitt, Buncombe County, N.C. eow 04/04/04 , we want to let your family, friends and co-workers know we feel their pain and grief. As we gathered in D.C. to honor you and Jeff as well as all other fallen officers our hearts and our minds were filled with so many emotions. We all had so much to deal with but thru it all we had one purpose in being there and that was to honor those who had fallen. What an awsome sight to see. What comfort we received from the conferences and the memorial services. May God bless each organization that worked together to make the week so very special. While staying at the host hotel we received a message on the message board from your family members. May God bless them and keep them in his care.

Take care and know we are thinking of you always,
Pat and Bill Hewitt and daughters Susan and Tammy.

May 20, 2005

"The guardian angels of life sometimes fly so high as to be beyond our sight, but they are always looking down upon us." - Jean Paul Richter

Ted,
You're not forgotten ...

April 13, 2005

May 13, 2005

On behalf of the pilots of the FBI, I salute your service and that of your colleagues. May God be with your family. Rest In Peace. Romans 13:4 NIV

Special Agent/Pilot Darin L. Paul
Federal Bureau of Investigation

November 14, 2004

Although I did not know you, you were still one of our brothers. Rest in peace.

OFC. WALDROP
Buncombe County Sheriffs Department

June 14, 2004

I stop by this website often after the death of my brother. I am saddend to see the list was added onto.

My prayers go to Deputy Hortons Family, freinds and coworkers.

Deputy Horton thank you for your courage, sacrifice, selfless acts. Thanks for being a hero, You are a hero to more than you know.

...AT PEACE WITH HONOR

Emory, Ephrata, WA
brother of Ferry County WA Undersheriff Metthew J. Lane, EOW 5/30/03

June 14, 2004

Rest in peace brother.

Officer Horton
Duke University Police Dept.

June 14, 2004

We have lost a Brother who will be missed. God bless you and look after our brothers family.

Deputy Donald Ohler
Tuolumne County Sheriff Ca.

June 12, 2004

We are truly saddened at Ted's loss.
--------------------------------------
We all recall you gave your best.
You did your job, now you can rest.
Your comrades now can cover your post
as you take your place with the Heavenly Host.

God Bless Our Fallen Brothers & Sisters.
---------------------------------------
Our prayers will be with you, your family, and co-workers!

Ptlm. P.K. Harding
Binghamton (NY) P.D.

June 11, 2004

We are truly saddened at Ted's loss.
--------------------------------------
We all recall you gave your best.
You did your job, now you can rest.
Your comrades now can cover your post
as you take your place with the Heavenly Host.

God Bless Our Fallen Brothers & Sisters.
---------------------------------------
Our prayers will be with you, your family, and co-workers!


Ptlm. P.K. Harding
Binghamton (NY) P.D.
[email protected]

June 11, 2004

I stop by this website often after the death of two dear friends with the NCSHP (Troopers Calvin Taylor E.O.W. October 3, 2001 and Anthony Cogdill E.O.W. May 30, 2003).
Unfortunately, I had to add the name of another friend. Deputy Jeffrey Hewitt, Buncombe County (NC) Sheriff’s Department, E.O.W. April 4, 2004.

We all grieve over the lives lost in the line of duty. I hope you can find some comfort knowing that there are countless prayers that go out for your family.

These are senseless tragedies that never seem to stop. God Bless the men and women who continue to serve their communities in our great Nation.

...Gone, but never Forgotten....

Marti Ingle (EMT-Paramedic)
Haywood County EMS (NC)

June 11, 2004

So sorry for your loss. I know how difficult it is to receive the word that your husband has been tragically killed while doing the job he loved. I pray that God our Father will give you comfrt and peace in your time of sorrow and that you will find strength in His promises.

Patricia Tucker wife Mark Tucker
WCSO Investigator killed in LOD FEB 2004

June 8, 2004

Deputy Horton,
I was visiting my family in Tyrrell County when my brother told me of your death. I'm so sorry for your family & friends, I know the pain the are feeling as I've lost a loved on in the line of duty also. My prayers go out to them.

Denise
Survivor of Trooper Calvin E. Taylor NCSHP

June 8, 2004

Rest in Peace Brother. you have finished your tour honorably & with dedication. May you know your loved ones are never alone for we are but a phone call away.

Bob Johnson VA-VI

Bob Johnson U.S. Marshal's (Ret'd)
Blue Knights International Police

June 7, 2004

I pray for strength and peace for your family and friends and hope that these reflections give them comfort knowing that your big family does care and will not forget. Go rest high on the mountian.

D/Sgt. Vencent Woods
State of Michigan Department of Environmental Quality

June 7, 2004

My fiance, Dennis McElderry, was the first law enforcement casualty of 2003. Dennis died doing a job he loved, just as I'm sure Ted did. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and Ted be the last to die this way.

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Deputy Horton's family, friends, and co-workers must be feeling. My heart goes out to you all, especially to his wife. No one can truly understand the pain of our loss until they've walked in our shoes. I wish I could give you a few words of wisdom to help you through this tough time, but there isn't anything I can really say or do to make the situation better. Just know that my thoughts are with you.

Please accept my condolences on behalf of the McElderry family and remember that Ted is part of huge law enforcement family. If you ever need anything any number of them will be there for you (as I've quickly found out!) From reading the many reflections posted here, I am certain Ted was well respected and well loved.

Thank you Deputy Horton for a job well done and for helping to make this world a safer place for us all. Please say "hello" to my fiance Dennis for me.

Peace, Love, Luck, and Happiness!

Jocelyne Brar (Winnipeg, MB Canada)
Fiancee of Deputy Sheriff Dennis Ray McElderry, Davis Co. Iowa - EOW (

June 7, 2004

Our deepest sympathy to the family of Deputy Sheriff Ted Duke Horton and the Franklin County Sheriff's Department our hearts and prayers are with you all...... Thank you for a job well done Ted... rest in peace as you continue your watch from the heavens......your memory will never be forgotten...

God Bless....Be Safe..... and wear your vests...

Vin, Pook and all of us at beyond-the-blue

Vinman and Pooky -Site Owners
beyond-the-blue

June 6, 2004