LOS ANGELES (AP) — A new Coast Guard cutter commissioned Friday honors a petty officer who was killed in a confrontation with suspected smugglers off Southern California.

Terrell Horne’s widow, Rachel, and three young sons attended the ceremony at Coast Guard Base Los Angeles-Long Beach.

“The crew and I did not have to look any further than the cutter’s stern for guidance or inspiration in our efforts to contribute to the successes of the world’s best coast guard,” said Lt. John Beal, the cutter’s first commander. “Senior Chief Horne, whose name is on the transom, represented the very best of our nation’s military servicemen and -women.”

Horne was killed in December 2012 as crewmembers from the Marina del Rey-based cutter Halibut were maneuvering an inflatable boat near Santa Cruz Island to intercept a panga, a type of boat favored by smugglers trying to bring contraband and people north from Mexico.

As the panga moved to ram the inflatable boat, Horne pushed another crew member out of the way, then was hurled overboard by the impact and suffered fatal head injuries.

The panga captain, Jose Mejia-Leyva, was convicted of murder and assaults on four federal officers. A federal judge sentenced him to life in prison. Another man from the panga received a 10-year sentence.