On December 23rd, 2024— Officer Michael Horan with the Greensboro Police Department responded to a call at the Food Lion on Lawndale Drive where he was fatally shot. Mike, as he was affectionately known, was a hero and a mentor to not only his kids but also to all of the people whose lives he touched.
Growing up everyone who knew Mike said he was resilient, and a hard worker. He lived in many places as a kid but called New Jersey home. He began serving people as a lifeguard and CPR instructor at age 16. After he graduated from Northwest High School in Greensboro, he joined the US Coast Guard and quickly rose the ranks. Just a year or so after he joined in 2000, He was tasked with conducting post-9/11 harbor defense security efforts in New York City and Washington, DC. In his 17 years as a member of the Coast Guard, he excelled in many positions and earned 19 awards.
In 2017, he became a reservist in the Coast Guard to pursue a career in Greensboro at the Greensboro Police Department. He was sworn in as an officer and pinned by his daughter in 2018. I got a chance to speak with Officer Hill who is currently the SRO at Page High School and met Officer Horan in 2017 as a Patrol Officer. Hill shared fond memories of night patrols with Mike, saying “he would always pass on knowledge from his past experiences as a Law Enforcement Officer.” His community and fellow officers loved Officer Horan for his humor, friendliness, and leadership ability. Perhaps his most exceptional quality was his dedication to serving people on or off duty. In 2019, while vacationing with his family at Emerald Isle Beach, Mike’s dedication was evident. When he saw a father and son caught in a dangerous riptide, he didn’t hesitate. Mike sprung into action, swimming 60 yards offshore to rescue them from the current. He was given a Lifesaving Award by the GPD and was recognized by the USCG for his bravery.
In 2023, Officer Hill needed more mentors for a club called RunWell where Police Officers support young men by running with them and teaching them life lessons. Officer Hill told me when he reached out, “Mike adjusted his schedule so he could attend and assist.” Hill also said, “he jumped right in with getting to know the guys and mentoring the students, even pulling me aside and asking about certain students to see if they needed help in any way with school.” Mike loved the kids he mentored and they loved him. Tyler Smith graduated and was in RunWell last year, He said “Mike always had great energy and it helped the vibes in RunWell.” He shared a memory that both he and Officer Hill remember fondly. On one of their tougher runs last year, Mike and the guys ran to the Fire Academy about 1.4 miles from Page. After the run, they climbed up the fire tower and took a picture with Mike. Tyler Smith says “he motivated me” and Hill says “The guys flocked to him to take the picture.” When people were tired and felt like quitting, Mike was the guy who pushed them to keep going.
Mike was an amazing man who accomplished many things but the most important thing to him was his family. People who knew him said he woke up every day for his daughter and she was his best friend. In 2019, He got married to his wife Courtney and welcomed her son, Nate into his life. The legacy that Mike leaves behind will live endlessly through his family and all of the lives he touched. We can all honor his legacy by being kind, compassionate, and hard-working in all that we do.
