Social Justice
US Airman Roger Fortson, killed by deputy in his own home, honored at funeral
Family and friends of Senior Airman Roger Fortson along with dozens of Air Force members came together at an Atlanta church Friday to honor the serviceman, who was shot and killed in his Florida home by a sheriff’s deputy on May 3.
Family and friends of Senior Airman Roger Fortson, along with dozens of Air Force members, came together Friday to honor the serviceman, who was shot and killed in his Florida home by a sheriff’s deputy on May 3.
Roger Fortson celebration of life
Fortson, 23, was in his home in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, when he was shot six times by an Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office deputy, according to law enforcement authorities.
At Friday’s celebration of life at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, Fortson was laid out wearing his Air Force uniform and his coffin was draped with the American flag.
After the service, airmen saluted as Fortson’s casket was carried to a beautiful horse carriage and led away from the church.
Wonderful human being
At the funeral, speakers spoke about how Fortson transformed himself from a fun-loving teenager into a young man with a sense of purpose.
“He was one of our gifted students,” said Fortson’s former principal, Loukisha Walker, of Ronald E. McNair High School.
Fortson was “a man of honor, a man of integrity, a man of courage,” said Col. Patrick Dierig, commander of the First Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, Fla., speaking at the funeral.
Tragic incident
On May 3, police responded to a call of a disturbance around 4:30 p.m., according to a released statement from the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.
Fortson was shot six times by the deputy
Sheriff Eric Aden of the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office played the body camera footage of the deputy who shot Fortson in a press conference last week.
In the video, the deputy can be heard announcing twice that he is with the sheriff’s office. Fortson allegedly opens the door for the deputy with what appears to be a gun in his hand. The officer shot Fortson six times within seconds of the door opening. Fortson later succumbed to his injuries, according to 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 deputy involved has been put on administrative leave.
There is an ongoing investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and the state attorney’s office, according to the sheriff’s office.
Watch US Airman Roger Fortson’s celebration of life
----------------------------------------------------------
Connect with Unheard Voices on Twitter, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube
Download the app on Google Play or ITunes.
----------------------------------------------------------
Unheard Voices Magazine is a news reporting platform covered under Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research.
-
Health & Wellness4 weeks ago
Amber Nicole Thurman died from delayed care due to Georgia’s abortion laws, says family
-
Culture3 weeks ago
New Wu-Tang Clan concert film returns to Wilmington before PBS release
-
Entertainment3 weeks ago
‘OWN For the Holidays’ returns for its sixth year with three original movies for a festive 2024 season
-
Culture4 weeks ago
3 Chambers Fest celebrates the fusion of hip-hop, martial arts, and anime culture
-
Politics3 weeks ago
Lil Scrappy, Big Freedia, Mia X, Cookie Nasty, and more artists partner with Hip Hop Caucus for a Political Rap Cypher
-
Culture3 weeks ago
Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts (BOPA) is accepting submissions for 2025 Janet & Walter Sondheim Art Prize and Creative Baltimore Fund grant program
-
Entertainment3 weeks ago
CHURCHY series starring Kevin “KevOnStage” Fredericks renewed for a second season
-
Culture6 days ago
Hip Hop Caucus Highlights Success of 2024 Respect my Vote! Campaign