Michael Darren Horn was hired by the Oklahoma City Fire Department on February 3rd, 1995, less than three months before the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Downtown Oklahoma City. He retired with a (presumptive) disability pension on December 1st, 2001 and passed away just eight months later.

Darren was known as a hard worker, a family man, and a friend to everyone he came in contact with.

When the bombing occurred, Darren and the rest of his recruit academy immediately responded to the incident, and assisted with the command post, logistics, and decontamination. The Academy was placed on hold as they worked 12 hour shifts at the scene. Approximately three years later, Darren was diagnosed with Colon Cancer.