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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Ted Horton was killed in a helicopter crash while he and another deputy conducted a narcotics search over a wooded area near Louisburg.
The Hughes 269A helicopter experienced mechanical problems shortly after taking off from a field near the sheriff's office. The pilot attempted to make an emergency landing in a clearing but the main rotor blades struck pine trees on the edge of the clearing. The helicopter fell 30-feet and landed on its left side. Deputy Horton, who was an observer during the flight, was killed. The pilot suffered non-fatal injuries.
Deputy Horton is survived by his wife and mother.
Survivors
Deputy Horton is survived by his wife and mother.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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 Horton gave the Franklin County Sheriff's Office 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Louisburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Horton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Ted is the only officer of Franklin County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Ted is one of 205 officers lost to accidents in NC, 30.9% of the 664 remembered there.
Ted is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Ted is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2004, 3 officers in NC were lost to accidents, the 21st heaviest of 90 years on record. The heaviest was 2018, with 7.
In 2004, 72 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 43rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2004, 77 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 62nd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Ted was 53. Of the 194 lost to accidents in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 46; the middle age was 35. Ted had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 5.4 years.
Ted was 53. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Ted had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ted was 53. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Ted had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 7.3% of these deaths in NC; September holds the most, 12.7%. Fridays: 13.2%.
May holds 8.6% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 15.1%.
May holds 8.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Franklin County Sheriff's Office.
Accident deaths account for 30.9% of all 664 deaths in NC, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 39-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Franklin County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.