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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
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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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
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Rea is the only officer of Delaware County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Rea is one of 572 officers killed feloniously in OH, 57.6% of the 993 remembered there.
Rea is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Rea is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1924, 9 officers in OH were killed feloniously, the 10th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1916, with 17.
In 1924, 225 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1924, 228 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Rea was 39. Of the 552 killed feloniously in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. Rea had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Rea was 39. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Rea had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Rea was 39. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Rea had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 9.6% of these deaths in OH; December holds the most, 9.6%. Thursdays: 15.4%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Delaware County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.6% of all 993 deaths in OH, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 6.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.4% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 25-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Delaware County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.