Fallen South Caroinla Firefighter Honored 20 Years Later

Feb. 25, 2008
Capt. Lloyd Horton's ladder buckled and dropped the Spartanburg firefighter 50 feet into a fire below.

SPARTANBURG, S.C. --

Firefighters gathered Sunday to remember a fire captain who died in the line of duty 20 years ago.

Capt. Lloyd Horton's ladder buckled and dropped the Spartanburg firefighter 50 feet into a fire below.

Assistant Fire Chief Dale Worthy arrived at the scene shortly after Horton's fall.

He said, "I heard something crack. I turned around and looked, the ladder was going down. He never would ask anybody to do anything he wouldn't do, and I think that was what he was demonstrating that morning."

Horton died from his injuries a few years later.

His family, friends and former co-workers honored his sacrifice on Sunday.

Horton's son Ricky is currently a Spartanburg firefighter.

He said that he is glad the department honored his father's service to the community.

Copyright 2008 by WYFF4.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Voice Your Opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Firehouse, create an account today!