GULFPORT -- Last year this time law enforcement personnel in South Mississippi were reeling from tragic news that their comrade Frederick Joiner Gaston III had been
killed during a random crime.
Sunday, Aug. 2, marked the death of Gaston, at the time a deputy with the Jackson County Sheriff's Department in Pascagoula and former interim police chief with the city of Moss Point. He had worked for the Gulfport Police Department over 17 years, said a family member.
Gaston, 49, was shot and killed during an attempted robbery while at a hotel in Gastonia, N.C. A lieutenant colonel with the U.S. Air Force, he was on his way to reserve training in Virginia and had stopped to rest for the night.
Gaston's wife, Angela, said Rakcam Jamall Fleming, 16, of Gastonia and 17-year-old Tommy Dean Battiste of Bessemer City were convicted of first-degree murder earlier this year. After cooperating with police, Fleming was sentenced to 25 years; Battiste was sentenced to 27 1/2 years. The latter was also convicted of possession of a firearm by a felon.
Members of the sheriff's department joined part of Gaston's family to remember the son who was a buddy to his father, the brother who shared a love of school band and military service with his siblings, the doting father who couldn't say no to his children, and the busy and always professional officer who still put his wife first.
Angela Gaston attended a luncheon Aug. 3 with Jackson County Sheriff Mike Byrd, deputy Daniel Sullivan and other deputies. They reminisced about her husband's law enforcement service, and Sullivan talked about how much he'd gained during the time he spent with Gaston. The two men also had worked together in Moss Point.
Fred Gaston on duty with Gulfport Police Department
(Photo courtesy of Gaston family)
She and her father-in-law, Frederick William Gaston Sr., said they appreciate and are grateful for the many acts of kindness afforded them just after and since the death of their relative, as well as the compliments expressed about Frederick Gaston III, his personality and his work in law enforcement and the military.
"We were so gratified by the response of the police force up there in Gastonia," said Gaston Sr. "(The funeral service) was a wonderful tribute. The whole Gulf Coast and (Gulfport) police station came to honor him."
Family members visited Lt. Col. Gaston's gravesite at Biloxi National Cemetery before they gathered for dinner to provide strength and support for each other and to remember good times with Gaston, his sense of humor and his love of good food.
"We'll never get over the fact that he's no longer here. We're trying to get used to it," said Gaston's father.
Gaston Sr., a master sergeant who retired after a 24-year Air Force career, said at first he felt resentment toward God for the loss of his son, and the hardest thing for him was asking God to forgive the young men who caused his death. Still, it was the Christian thing to do, and he wanted compassion for the younger teen after learning the facts of the attempted robbery. The father said he now has made peace with God.
"He was always a wonderful son. He wasn't the least bit of trouble for us or anybody. We were honored that God allowed us to be his host in this life.
"He was my buddy. He was a wonderful companion as well as son," said the 78-year-old Gulfport resident.
The senior Gaston said his wife, Michiko Gaston, still wonders about the "what if"of events leading to her son's intended trip to Virginia.
The Air Force lieutenant colonel was an active reservist, training two days each month and two weeks of each year.
Angela Gaston said she is doing as well as can be expected since her husband was accosted and shot while in the parking lot of a Microhotel. He would have turned 50 years old March 27 this year.
Their children, son William Lee Gaston of Biloxi and daughter Melissa Davis of Metairie, La., are still struggling with their father's death. Davis, who already was dealing with other issues, was devastated by his shooting.
William has matured greatly since August 2008 and is now engaged, his mother said. She's happy he's decided to continue has college education instead of sticking around to make sure she's okay.
"My son has his good days and bad days, like all of us. He's trying to stay strong for me," she said.
William Lee Gaston plans to study at University of Southern Mississippi, where his father, aunt Anne Gaston and uncle F. William Gaston Jr. also attended. Anne Gaston retired from the Air Force after a 20-year career. William Lee has considered a career in law enforcement.
The Biloxi mother said her husband was a loving father to their children. "When they were younger he spent a lot of time making sure they had what they wanted. He never told them no. I was always the stricter one."
Angela Gaston said her husband's law enforcement career and Air Force service often kept him away from her and the children, but Gaston spent as much time as he could with his family.
"What makes me proud of him is he always put himself second. He always went above and beyond for everybody," she said.
"Even though he lived such a busy life he always found time to put me first. That's what I love about him. That's what I miss the most. He was a wonderful citizen and a wonderful husband. I couldn't have asked for a better life with him."
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