Senior Airman Roger Fortson was tragically shot and killed by a Florida deputy at his apartment door, sparking a wave of tributes and mourning from his Air Force unit. A makeshift shrine has been set up at the door, adorned with aviator wings, combat boots, bouquets, an American flag, and shells from rounds Fortson handled as a gunner on the unit's AC-130J special operations aircraft.
A quarter, a symbol of military tradition, was left at the scene anonymously to honor Fortson's memory. The 1st Special Operations Wing in Florida took a pause from their regular duties to process the loss and provide support to their members through small group discussions and expressions of grief.
