Dozens of Air Force members gathered at a suburban Atlanta church on Friday to pay tribute to Senior Airman Roger Fortson. Alongside the serviceman’s family and friends, they came together to honor his memory. Tragically, Fortson was shot and killed in his Florida home by a sheriff’s deputy on May 3.
Law enforcement authorities have reported that Fortson, a 23-year-old resident of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, was shot by a deputy from the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office while in his own home.
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During Friday’s service, Fortson was honored by being dressed in his Air Force uniform. As a symbol of his service to the country, his coffin was respectfully adorned with the American flag.
Col. Patrick Dierig expressed his admiration for Senior Airman Fortson in front of the mourners at the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Stonecrest. He acknowledged the sea of Air Force blue, a testament to the numerous service members present who came to pay their respects to Fortson.
During his eulogy, Reverend Jamal Bryant shared an anecdote about Medgar Evers, a renowned civil rights figure, and his time serving in the Army during World War II.
Bryant also labeled Fortson’s killing as “murder.”
“We must acknowledge the truth: it was a case of murder,” Bryant emphasized. “He was killed in cold blood, and someone must be held responsible. Roger contributed more to America than America ever did for him.”
In a recorded video played at the service, the Rev. Al Sharpton emphasized Fortson’s military service and stressed the importance of holding those responsible for his death accountable.
As a young black man, he bravely enlisted to serve his country. The crucial question now arises: will the country reciprocate and support him? Sharpton passionately expressed, “The family, especially the grieving mother, is devastated. But is it not our responsibility to fix a broken system? This is the question we aim to address and find a solution for.”
According to a statement released by the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, the deputy involved in the tragic incident was responding to a call about a disturbance at approximately 4:30 p.m.
During a recent press conference, Sheriff Eric Aden from the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office showcased the body camera footage of the deputy involved in the shooting of Fortson. Prior to the conference, a separate press briefing was held with Fortson’s family. The video revealed the deputy clearly identifying himself as a member of the sheriff’s office on two occasions. As the footage played, Fortson can be observed opening the door, holding what appears to be a gun. Within moments of the door opening, the deputy fired his weapon, resulting in Fortson’s eventual demise, as confirmed by the sheriff’s office.
“Hearing sounds of a disturbance, he reacted in self-defense after he encountered a 23-year-old man armed with a gun,” according to a sheriff’s office statement. “[This was] after the deputy had identified himself as law enforcement.”
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and the state attorney’s office will conduct separate investigations, according to the sheriff’s office, which has placed the officer in question on administrative leave.
