Roll of Honor
Roy James Fortson, Jr.
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Roy Fortson was shot and killed when he attempted to stop the robbery of a bar at the intersection of 36th Street and Spring Garden Street. He was inside the bar when two masked subjects entered and announced a robbery at approximately 2:00 am. One of the subjects remained at the front door while the other entered the bar and robbed the bartender. As the subject attempted to leave the bar Deputy Fortson, who was unarmed, tackled him. He was shot multiple times during the ensuing struggle. Two other off-duty deputies, who had gone outside to make a phone call, returned fire as the subjects fled the scene. Both subjects, 21 and 26, were later apprehended. The older subject was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. Deputy Fortson was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and had served with the Philadelphia Sheriff's Office for 12 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-9F752B3D- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Roy. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Deputy Sheriff Fortson gave the Philadelphia Sheriff's Office 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Roy James Fortson, Jr. served in the Marine Corps (1966â1966) before joining law enforcement.
Deputy Sheriff Roy James Fortson, Jr. is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In PA, 597 of 1,261 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.3% of this state's fallen. That is 6.9 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Roy James Fortson, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Roy James Fortson, Jr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Roy James Fortson, Jr. is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Roy James Fortson, Jr. was killed by handgun.