Well Known Crime Fighter Murdered

Gulfport Police Department Frederick Gaston Family and friends are mourning the loss of Frederick Gaston a detective with the Jackson County Mississippi Sheriff's office after he was shot and killed during an attempted robbery Saturday night in North Carolina.

by Diana Lucio

Published: Sun, August 03, 2008 - 10:02 pm CST Last Updated: Sun, August 03, 2008 - 10:10 pm CST

The murder of a well known Mississippi crime fighter has devastated the law enforcement community.
Authorities in Gastonia, North Carolina say 49-year-old Frederick Gaston was off duty when he was gunned down outside of a hotel, during an attempted robbery Saturday night.
Police have arrested 16-year-old Rakcam Jamall Fleming and 17-year-old Tommy Dean Barnette, both are being charged with first degree murder.
Gaston was a detective for the Jackson County, Mississippi Sheriff's Office. He had also served as Interim Chief of Police for Moss Point P.D. and spent 13 years with the Gulfport Police Department. Family and friends are mourning the tragedy.
"It's a shock anytime an officer loses their life it's a catastrophe in the law enforcement community and the loss of somebody you know, really hits home,"Said Sergeant Chris Ryles with the Gulfport Police Department. "It's just hard to believe that somebody that close to you could be killed like that," Said Mary Lafferre with the Moss Point Police Department.
Gaston's family tells NewsFive, he was on his way to Arlington, Virginia to serve his final two weeks of Air Force Reserve Duty, he was set to retire. Funeral arrangements have not yet been made.

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