Special Agent John H. "Jack" Horst, Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Police Department, Railroad Police

Special Agent John H. "Jack" Horst

Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Police Department, Railroad Police

End of Watch Monday, April 28, 1975

Add to My Heroes

John H. "Jack" Horst

Special Agent Jack Horst suffered a fatal heart attack while investigating the theft of a large number of brass couplings from the railroad yards in Clinton, Iowa.

An Illinois State Police trooper had conducted a traffic stop on Route 30, east of Morrison, and discovered the stolen brass after inquiring about the vehicle's heavy load. Special Agent Horst responded to the scene in Whiteside County, Illinois, to inspect the brass and to conduct a follow-up investigation. He was speaking with one of the suspects when he began to show symptoms of a heart attack.

He was transported to a Mercy Hospital in Clinton, Iowa, where he was pronounced dead.

The two brothers who stole the brass were convicted of larceny and sentenced to three years of probation and restitution.

Special Agent Horst was a U.S. Army veteran of WWII and had served in law enforcement for 27 years. He was survived by his wife, son, and four daughters.

Bio

Age 57
Tour 27 years
Badge 121
Military Veteran

Incident Details

Cause Heart attack
Location Illinois

larceny

LODD Mapping FAQs

Most Recent Reflection

View all 3 Reflections

Agent Horst,
On today, the 50th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just as a Law Enforcement Officer but for our Country as well when you served with the U.S. Army during World War II. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol(Retired)

April 28, 2025