“On an attempted burglary, we understand that an individual attempted to gain entry into the residence,” the sheriff explained. “Once inside, the homeowner produced a firearm in self-defense and shot the individual. At this time, the individual is deceased.”

Authorities revealed that Horton also lived in the neighborhood, about a half-mile from the scene, and may have been experiencing a mental health episode or under the influence of narcotics.

Investigator Horton was honored as “Officer of the Year” at the “Crime is Toast” breakfast just days earlier, on Sept. 24.