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Incident
Sergeant Steve Van Horn died as the result of leukemia that developed after he responded to a toxic chemical fire on February 22nd, 1987. The fire broke out at the Hixson Metal Finishing Company plant at 829 Production Place. The fire engulfed a 10,000 square-foot warehouse that stored over 140 different chemicals. Sergeant Van Horn coordinated traffic and evacuation at the scene without protective gear and was exposed to the toxic chemicals. After the fire, Sergeant Van Horn and three firefighters were diagnosed with cancer in January 1995. Sergeant Van Horn passed away from the illness on November 16, 1997. One other firefighter has also passed away. The city of Newport Beach proclaimed his illness and death duty related. Sergeant Van Horn had served with the Newport Police Department for 24 years and previously served with the Yuma Police Department (Arizona).
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and six children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
26 years. You could have gone home.
Sergeant Van Horn gave the Newport Beach Police Department 26 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Newport Beach community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Van Horn.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Illness
Newport Beach Police Department has lost 3 officers; 1 of them lost to illness.
Steven is one of 75 officers lost to illness in CA, 4.1% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Steven is one of 2,028 officers lost to illness in the United States, 7.4% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Steven is one of 2,979 officers lost to illness worldwide, 8.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1997, 1 officer in CA was lost to illness, the 8th heaviest of 19 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 25.
In 1997, 3 officers in the United States were lost to illness, the 33rd heaviest of 108 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 564.
In 1997, 4 officers worldwide were lost to illness, the 134th heaviest of 197 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 566.
Who
Steven was 48. Of the 75 lost to illness in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 36.5 and 53; the middle age was 48. Steven had served 26 years; the middle length of service was 19 years.
Steven was 48. Of the 1,996 lost to illness in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 42 and 58; the middle age was 51. Steven had served 26 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
Steven was 48. Of the 2,916 lost to illness worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 56; the middle age was 49. Steven had served 26 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
When
November holds 13.3% of these deaths in CA; January holds the most, 13.3%. Sundays: 12%.
November holds 7.8% of these deaths in the United States; October holds the most, 14.9%. Sundays: 14.2%.
November holds 8% of these deaths worldwide; October holds the most, 12.6%. Sundays: 13.2%.
How
Illness deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths at Newport Beach Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 4.1% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 7.4% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 8.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 3rd most common cause.
His people
Newport Beach Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Steven among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 3-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Newport Beach Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
