GREENSBORO, N.C. — Operation Fly Our Flag led a memorial ride for Greensboro Police Officer Michael Horan, who was killed in the line of duty at a Food Lion in December.

What You Need To Know

  • Greensboro Police Officer Michael Horan was killed Dec. 23 at a Food Lion while responding to call

  • Operation Fly Our Flag, an organization that pays tribute to fallen heroes, led a memorial ride Sunday from Gate City Boulevard to Battleground Avenue in honor of Horan

  • Organizers say more than 1,000 people from across the state participated

Drivers paid homage to Horan by traveling across the city displaying blue lights, and military and American flags.

Horan served 18 years in the Coast Guard before joining the Greensboro Police Department in 2017.

The president and founder of Operation Fly Our Flag, Nathan Sheppard, said the ride is about giving the community a chance to remember and honor that service.

The group also organized a march for fallen Greensboro Police Sgt. Phillip Dale Nix. Nix was killed trying to stop a robbery at a Sheetz in December 2023.

“It is really heart-wrenching, but the bright side of it is whenever we have these events, the amount of turnout that comes out to say we appreciate Officer Horan's sacrifice, and we are here for the family,” Sheppard said.

Kevin Henderson said he came out to remember Horan and express gratitude for his service.

“We come together to honor the ones that serve and protect us. So this is just a little bit of a thank you to them, and thank you to the family that ultimately lost a loved one,” Henderson said.

The National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Fund’s Annual Law Enforcement Fatalities Report showed officer deaths increased by 25% last year compared with 2023.

The report also showed North Carolina among the top 10 states with the highest number of officer fatalities with five. Texas was the highest with 18.

Fifteen states had no law enforcement fatalities.

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