October 1, 2026
PRESS RELEASE
FORT WALTON BEACH, FL – A jury today found former Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Deputy Eddie Lee Duran Jr. not guilty of manslaughter with a firearm in the May 3, 2024, death of United States Air Force Senior Airman Roger Fortson.
“We respect the jury’s verdict and thank the jurors for their service,” State Attorney Ginger Bowden Madden said. “Our prosecutors brought this case because, after a thorough review, we believed the evidence warranted presentation to a jury. They fulfilled their independent duty professionally and in good faith under our system of justice.”
A not-guilty verdict means the State did not prove the criminal charge beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of every juror. It does not diminish the life, service, or humanity of Roger Fortson, and it does not lessen the devastating loss his family, friends, and fellow airmen endured.
Senior Airman Fortson was 23 years old and served with distinction in the 4th Special Operations Squadron at Hurlburt Field. We extend our continuing sympathy to his loved ones and to the Air Force community that has stood beside them.
We understand that this verdict will cause pain, anger, or disappointment for many people, particularly some members of the community who view Senior Airman Fortson’s death within a context of encounters nationally involving law enforcement. Those reactions should not be dismissed. We urge everyone responding to today’s decision to do so peacefully and with respect for the Fortson family’s dignity.
This prosecution was not an attack on law enforcement. Deputies perform essential and often dangerous work every day, and are entitled to the same presumption of innocence and fair process as everyone else accused of a crime. At the same time, the authority to use deadly force must remain subject to independent review. Presenting disputed evidence to a jury is part of that accountability and is essential to public trust.
The State Attorney’s Office accepts the jury’s decision. We thank the witnesses, investigators, court personnel, and attorneys who participated in the proceedings, and we ask the public and news media to respect the privacy of Senior Airman Fortson’s family.
