USCG Chief Petty Officer Terrell Horne III

Chief Petty Officer Terrell Horne III, of the US Coast Guard, was killed Sunday when the inflatable boat he was on was rammed, by a smuggling vessel.

The USCG's commandant released a statement that began, "It is with deep regret and sadness that I report the loss of Chief Boatswain’s Mate Terrell Horne, the Executive Petty Officer of CGC HALIBUT, who died early this morning from injuries sustained while conducting maritime law enforcement operations off the California coast."

And it ended with, "BMC Horne stood the watch on the front lines of Coast Guard operations throughout his nearly fourteen years of active duty. He previously served at Coast Guard Stations Emerald Isle, Humboldt Bay and Charleston, and also sailed aboard the CGC DALLAS. Throughout his Coast Guard service, BMC Horne's professionalism and commitment, like those before him, ensured that we were always ready to answer the nation's call."

The Halibut's commanding officer, Lt. Stewart Sibert, stated that, "He was my friend, he was my confidante, he was the glue that held my crew together."

Earlier this year Horne was credited with personally saving three people, during rescue operations.

Horne is survived by his pregnant wife and one child.