Terrell Horne: Coast Guard Officer Killed In High-Seas Clash With Drug Boat

By Dennis Romero Mon., Dec. 3 2012 at 8:05 AM

USCG

Horne.

The "panga" drug boats that come ashore in Southern California often come across as a sad bunch, rundown watercraft driven by desperate immigrants and filled with low-quality drugs.

But over the weekend tragedy struck and the invasion of drugs on rickety boats from Mexico just became a big story.

Authorities say U.S. Coast Guard Executive Petty Officer Terrell Horne died after his boat was rammed by a panga:

It happened early Sunday off Santa Cruz Island after a Coast Guard patrol aircraft noticed the panga and the cutter Halibut moved in to investigate, according to a USCG statement.

Wikimap

Horne was aboard a small boat deployed to get even closer, USCG officials said. The panga's operator rammed the government boat and two Coast Guard members, including Horne, were thrown overboard.

The USCG:

The cutter deployed its small boat which made an approach on the suspect vessel, which was running darkened ship, meaning it was operating without any navigational running lights or other illumination. When the Coast Guard small boat approached with its blue law enforcement light energized, the suspect vessel, identified to be a profile Mexican style panga, maneuvered at a high rate of speed directly towards the Coast Guard small boat and struck it before fleeing the scene.

Though both crew members were immediately pulled from the water, Horne suffered "traumatic head injuries," according to the USCG. The other law enforcer survived with minor injuries, officials said.

USCG

The panga was chased down and stopped; two people aboard were detained, according to the USCG.

According to reports Horne is from Redondo Beach.

[@dennisjromero / djromero@laweekly.com / @LAWeeklyNews]

Tags:

Channel Islands, Coast Guard, drug boat, panga, Santa Cruz Island

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Sedonasherpa

This is a tragedy for sure and a death resulting from a crime in progress...BUT I would wait for the determination of calm analysis before concluding this was an intentional ramming incident. I spent 9 years doing these exact boardings and I make a couple points on the Panga boat: First, if the outboard is operated off the stern, using the throttle and rudder arm to navigate the boat (like a john-boat) it is almost impossible to shift into reverse in less than 20-30 seconds. (the boat engine has to stop rpm - then shift to reverse) It is also very limited in the ability to turn sharp one direction and reverse course...(the steering is without hydraulic assistance) so the weight of the boat, force of the water pushing against the prop, means the strength to reverse the outboard is almost impossible until the momentum is neutral. Simply put, a flight from law enforcement ended in collision...Much like a car speeding from a trooper hitting another...A crime for sure...but not necessarily intentional.

malcolmkyle16 topcommenter

Yet another law enforcement officer dies while attempting to uphold a failed public policy that has triggered the worst crime wave in history.Yet another law enforcement officer dies while attempting to prevent the citizens of this 'once proud and free' nation from choosing to self-medicate with one of God's most amazing plants.Yet another law enforcement officer dies in order that unconscionable Transnational Corporations, and their Media Enablers, can continue to abuse, addict and poison us for obscene profits.

-paulc- topcommenter

Correction: Chief Petty Officer Terrell Horne. No such thing as an Executive Petty Officer.

gneal02

Yes there is a such thing, he was the Executive Petty Officer of the Halibut by being second in command. His rank is Chief Petty Officer but his position at the unit was Executive Petty Officer.