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
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Marine Corps. One record, 2 gates. Roy is one person.
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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 U.S. Marine Corps (1966â1966) before joining law enforcement.
Deputy Sheriff Roy James Fortson Jr. is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,759 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 47.3 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
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
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.
Incident Location
Military Service
Roy James Fortson Jr. served in the U.S. Marine Corps (1966–1966) before joining law enforcement.
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His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Philadelphia Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.