Deputy Sheriff Rea Christian Horlocker

Rea Christian Horlocker

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. He was survived by his wife.