Hundreds of Air Force members gathered at a suburban Atlanta megachurch to pay their final respects to Senior Airman Roger Fortson, who was shot and killed by a sheriff’s deputy in his Florida home. The service was held at the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, where mourners lined up to say goodbye to Fortson, who was shot six times at the age of 23. The Air Force members, in their dress blues, joined Fortson’s family and friends to honor his memory. The open coffin displayed Fortson’s face and upper body in his Air Force uniform, with an American flag draped over the lower half of the coffin.
Col. Patrick Dierig praised Fortson, stating that he was great before joining the Air Force and that they were fortunate to have had him serve in their ranks. The eulogy delivered by the Rev. Jamal Bryant referenced civil rights icon Medgar Evers, highlighting the challenges Black service members face both in and out of uniform. Bryant called for justice in Fortson’s killing, describing it as murder and calling for accountability. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump also spoke passionately about Fortson, remembering him as a patriotic American who deserved justice.
In a recorded video message played at the service, the Rev. Al Sharpton echoed the calls for justice in Fortson’s case, emphasizing that as a young Black man who served his country, Fortson deserved more. After the service, airmen saluted as Fortson’s casket was carried away in a horse-drawn carriage, while his mother embraced mourners outside the church. Fortson’s mother, Meka, vowed to seek justice for her son, who had never been in trouble and served in combat zones overseas. She demanded accountability from Sheriff Eric Aden, stating that she would not rest until justice was served.
The circumstances of Fortson’s killing, as captured by the deputy’s body camera footage, showed that the officer shot him moments after he opened the door holding a handgun pointed towards the floor. The deputy shouted at him to step back and then proceeded to shoot him six times before realizing Fortson had a gun. However, Fortson’s family and attorney argue that the shooting was unjustified, as Fortson was at his home alone and was simply reacting to a potential threat outside his unit. The deputy, who has not been identified, claims he acted in self-defense, but the family demands transparency and accountability.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the case, and the deputy has been placed on administrative leave. Requests for incident reports and 911 records have not been fulfilled by the sheriff’s office, raising concerns about transparency in the investigation. Fortson’s killing is part of a larger pattern of Black individuals being shot in their homes by law enforcement, highlighting the need for accountability and justice. The community, along with Fortson’s family and legal team, awaits answers and justice for a young airman who served his country with honor and dedication.
