Shirt fundraiser aims to support Greensboro Officer Michael Horan's family
Jan 06, 2025
GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP) — A Greensboro Police Department officer has designed a shirt that supports the family of fallen GPD Officer Michael Horan and honors his legacy.
“Whenever I was thinking of the idea to do the fundraiser before Sergeant Nix's fundraiser started, I wanted to have an idea that would kind of be a reminder for us days, months and years down the road as to what a legacy these officers are leaving behind," said GPD Officer Tiffany Rahenkamp. "We're always going to remember them. We're going to honor them."
Rahenkamp, like many, was deeply affected by the loss of her colleague, officer Michael Horan. She wanted to help.
"I wanted to make these shirts or initiate the fundraiser, so to speak, to bring awareness for the family, and show our support as a department," Rahenkamp said. "To wrap our hands and arms around the family in one way. Whereas our community is doing it and so many others, with the memorial and the vehicle outside."
The shirts are made by Carolina Sports and feature a simple gray, white, and blue design featuring a phrase and a clover shape. Every element is laden with meaning.
"The clover was meant to signify his Irish heritage. He spoke about it all the time," said Rahenkamp. "So, somehow I wanted to kind of incorporate that into the design to make it special and customized to him."
Those words, "semper paratus", are a nod to his Coast Guard career. It means always ready in Latin.
Horan lived by that code, earning a long list of commendations and awards for his service, including twice being honored as the enlisted member of the year.
Rahenkamp went on to describe more of the shirt's features to FOX8.
“It [shows] his badge number with the blue line across of it and it says his name," she said.
Each element is a tribute to the man who died helping others.
The shirts and hats are available on the Carolina Sports website.