ATLANTA — The funeral for an Atlanta airman, who was shot to death by a Florida deputy earlier in May, took place on Friday as those who knew the serviceman said their goodbyes.
Loved ones and dozens of military personnel began arriving early at the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta on Friday morning.
Several of Roger Fortson's family members spoke at his funeral, sharing more about his "humble" nature while holding back tears.
"I thought Roger was the coolest person in the world. I used to just watch him, how he would talk with his accent and that smile. I was so proud of my brother, and he was so humble," said his sister Raevyn Wilborn. "At 23 years old, my brother did more than men 50 and 60 years old. I was proud of who he was. He was supposed to have a million more accomplishments. We got to make him proud now."
A father figure to Roger, Hassan Miles, also shared his gratitude for being able to spend time with him.
"He was like a good son I never had," Miles added.
"Roger was a special breed. He was just great all around. I had the opportunity to take Roger under my wing. It was always a good time. Intelligent conversations," said a loved one at the service. "He was a light. Never a dull moment. He always found the positive in a bad situation. I honestly just can't accept this."
Rev. Al Sharpton and Atlanta Civil Rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump also delivered remarks at the funeral.
"Roger Fortson was the best of us. The very best America had to offer the world," said Crump.
Attorney Crump also echoed the latest new evidence that countered the sheriff's office's narrative of a disturbance at Fortson's apartment.
Among loved ones, a sea of Air Force blue personnel filled the pews of the church in honor of the serviceman.
Col. Patrick Dierig, 1st Special Operations Wing, called Fortson "a man of honor, a man of integrity and a man of courage."
"He was great before he came to us. We, the Air Force, merely polished a diamond that you forged," Col. Dierig added. "It takes an incredible person to be an aircommando. He excelled with honor, professionalism, and confidence. His Air Force legacy is a stone of hope."
Many people who weren't as close to the serviceman showed up to the funeral to support him.
"He's a family member. I'm a retired Air Force member, and when I heard about this and heard that he was in the area, they were having a ceremony area. I could do nothing but come out and support," said Dr. Garry Miles.
The funeral ended with remarks from New Birth Missionary Baptist Church Senior Pastor Dr. Jamal Bryant.
Many in the Black community condemned the shooting, and the investigation into the incident continues.
11Alive streamed the funeral service for Roger Fortson. Rewatch the full service below.
The funeral comes just a day after Crump and the family revealed new details relating to the incident that left U.S. Airman Roger Fortson dead.
Some of those details include Crump highlighting discrepancies in the sheriff's office narrative about the disturbance at Fortson's apartment, along with body camera audio showing the woman who called the deputy unsure where the disturbance was coming from.
Crump also added that radio recordings indicated the disturbance call information was vague and fourth-party from the leasing office. The Fortson family argued that Roger Fortson was alone at home, countering claims of a male-female disturbance.
The family then gave heartbreaking testimonies of their life with Roger Fortson. His little sister spoke of trips to theme parks with her brother and his willingness to lend a hand when a time of need arose for the family.
"We may have not had food but he would always come around seeing if we need anything," she stated, tears streaming down her face. "I just miss my brother."
More on U.S. Senior Airman Roger Fortson
Fortson, stationed at the Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field near Fort Walton Beach, was shot on May 3 at an apartment in Florida by an Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office deputy. The deputy was responding to a call about a disturbance in progress and encountered Fortson, who was armed. According to the sheriff's office, the deputy reacted in self-defense after encountering Fortson with a gun.
During his funeral, Col. Patrick Dierig said that Fortson served in Iraq and took part in a special operations mission in Syria.
He was recently awarded an Airmedal with a combat device in 2023, according to Col. Dierig.
Fortson, originally from Atlanta and a graduate of McNair High School in DeKalb County, was remembered fondly by family and friends at a vigil held in his honor. His mother, Chantemekki Fortson, expressed her grief, saying, "I’ll never hear his voice again."