Detectives' Endowment Association, Inc. — Paul DiGiacomo, President

The DEA Honor Roll

Official Line of Duty Deaths

Horace L. Ford

Horace Ford

Rank: Detective

Shield Number: 3187

Command: Street Crime Unit

Date of Death: 11/06/1978

Cause of Death: Shot - Robbery - Off Duty

Thirty-nine-year-old Detective Horace Ford died as a result of wounds he received when he challenged a gunman in the Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company branch office located on Kissena Blvd. in Flushing.

 

Detective Ford worked part-time in the bank as a teller and was behind the counter when the robber lunged over the counter top brandishing a gun and announcing it was a stickup.  Detective Ford drew his revolver and exchanged shots with the man.  Hit twice, the detective was rushed to Booth Memorial Hospital where he expired despite doctors’ efforts to save his life.  The gunman died in the gutter alongside the bank where he fled after being hit by Detective Fords bullets.

 

A 12-year veteran of the force, Detective Ford had twice received Commendations for outstanding bravery and he earned 24 other medals for his performance prior to his tragically ended career.  He leaves his wife, Nancy and a daughter as well as parents, 2 brothers and 5 sisters.  The detective’s body was returned to his birthplace in Fairmont, North Carolina for burial.  More than forty of his brother officers from the Street Crime Unit attended the burial service in North Carolina.

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