A high honor for a Coast Guard member with Brevard County ties who was killed saving a fellow crew member during a drug bust at sea.

His name will don one of the guard's newest, advanced ships.

It's been an emotional two plus years for the family of Chief Petty Officer Terrell Horne III, a 14-year Coast Guard veteran.

His name is enshrined on the Wall of Honor at Eastern Florida State College in Cocoa, remembering those with Brevard County ties who died serving our country.

"I think he was meant to be there. God's plan," said Horne's sister Brandi Kemper.

Horne was serving aboard the Cutter Halibut off the California coast back in December 2012. The crew got a call about a drug smuggling boat headed their way at high speed.

Horne and another crewman deployed on one of their smaller boats, that's when they were struck.

Moments before the collision, Horne pushed his fellow officer out of the way and both men went overboard. Horne's crewmate survived, but Horne suffered severe head injuries and died after returning to port.

The two suspects were arrested a short time later.

"The grief. It's been just awful, just awful," said Horne's mother Ruth Kuipers.

Some of Horne's family live in Merritt Island, including his mother and sister. Horne came to the Space Coast and stayed a year. He also decided to join the Coast Guard.

"My brother always put others before him," Kemper said.

The past few years have been a roller coaster for his family.

But now, a silver lining to this loss. The Coast Guard is naming the first of 25 new fast-response cutters after Horne.

"I am so proud of him, sacrificing his life that night to save his crew," said his mother.

The new ship bearing Horne's name will be built in the coming years. The Coast Guard posthumously promoted him to senior chief petty officer.