Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Rea Horlocker was fatally injured when he crashed his motorcycle while pursuing a speeder on the Delaware-Columbus Road, four miles north of Glenmary Park.
When Deputy Horlocker pulled alongside the roadster and ordered the driver to stop, the driver fired three shots at him and then swerved into his lane, causing Deputy Horlocker to hit a ditch and a telephone pole. A passing motorist brought Deputy Horlocker to Jane M. Case Hospital in Delaware where he died from internal injuries the next day.
The driver and a companion were apprehended in Columbus the next day. It was unknown to Deputy Horlocker that he had been pursuing two men who were wanted for bootlegging. The driver was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 10 to 20 years.
Deputy Horlcoker had served with the Delaware County Sheriff's Office for less than a year.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-3CEC4033- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Rea. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Horlocker served with the Delaware County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Delaware community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Horlocker.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Rea Christian Horlocker is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In OH, 572 of 991 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.7% of this state's fallen. That is 3.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Rea Christian Horlocker's cause is highlighted.
How Rea Christian Horlocker Compares
Offender Outcome
Convicted of Manslaughter
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Rea Christian Horlocker is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Rea Christian Horlocker was killed by automobile.