Incident
Deputy Horne was shot and killed after responding to a disturbance between two neighbors as the result of one of the men firing a shotgun. Deputy Horne was shot by one of the men as he exited his patrol car. The suspect was apprehended later that day. The suspect had been released from prison in May of 1968 after serving 17 years for the murder of a man in Scotland County. He was convicted of Deputy Horne's murder and sentenced to death. He died in prison of natural causes July 29, 2004. Deputy Horne had served with the agency for just over 3 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and child.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-73F48341- 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.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Horne gave the Anson County Sheriff's Office 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Wadesboro community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Horne.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff William Kress Horne 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 NC, 385 of 664 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 58% of this state's fallen. That is 3.8 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Anson County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Kress Horne's cause is highlighted.
How William Kress Horne Compares
Offender Outcome
Died in prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Kress Horne is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Kress Horne was killed by shotgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Anson County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.

