Roy Gene Turner Jr., a 32-year-old African American male, was a police officer with the Fayetteville Police Department in North Carolina. On the night of November 29, 2001, while patrolling a high-crime area at the intersection of Moore Street and Hillsboro Street, Officer Turner was shot and killed. He was a member of the Neighborhood Improvement Team and was known for his dedication to improving the community. Officer Turner was shot in the head and shoulder, and despite efforts to save him, he was pronounced dead at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center early the next morning.
The investigation into Officer Turner's murder led to the arrest of Quintel Martinez Augustine, a 24-year-old African American male, who was identified as the suspect through witness testimonies. Augustine was charged with first-degree murder and was found guilty on the basis of malice, premeditation, and deliberation. On October 22, 2002, Augustine was sentenced to death. However, his death sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment on December 13, 2012, due to concerns about racial bias in the sentencing process. In January 2017, the death sentence was reinstated, but it was again commuted to life imprisonment on September 26, 2020.
Officer Turner was a veteran of the United States Army Persian Gulf War and had served with the Fayetteville Police Department for five years. He was survived by his son, parents, and brother. His funeral was held on December 6, 2001, at the Cumberland County Auditorium, and he was buried at the Fayetteville Memorial Cemetery. The community mourned the loss of a dedicated officer who had made significant contributions to the safety and well-being of the neighborhood he served.
