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Fairborn veterinarian drowns while swimming

Local veterinarian Dr. Michael Horton apparently drowned Friday morning, July 31, in a pond behind his home at 2230 Park Hills Drive.

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By Christopher Magan, Staff Writer Updated 8:53 PM Sunday, August 2, 2009

FAIRBORN — Prominent veterinarian and community leader Michael Horton likely drowned Thursday evening, July 30, while swimming in a pond behind his Park Hills Drive home.

Police pulled Horton’s body from the pond about 10 a.m. Friday after being called to the home when Horton failed to show up for work at his veterinary practice, which is less than a half-mile from his home.

Horton’s employees gathered outside his office Friday afternoon, visibly shaken. One woman, who did not identify herself, called Horton a great boss. “He was a wonderful person,” she said before being called back to the office.

A T-shirt, jeans and tennis shoes were found on a dock where a small rowboat was tied up on the pond, said Sgt. Matt Ricketts, Fairborn police.

A preliminary autopsy has ruled Horton’s death an accidental drowning, Ricketts said. His body was found by firefighters near the middle of the eight foot-deep pond.

Terry Miller, a park board member who was visiting a relative nearby when police were called to the home, knew Horton and said he was an avid conservationist who worked to improve the city’s parks. “He’s really done a lot,” Miller said.

Police continue to investigate.

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