A Port Canaveral police sergeant was fired Friday after an internal investigation showed he offered other officers a target resembling Trayvon Martin to use for shooting practice.
Sgt. Ron King, a two-year veteran of the force of about 35 sworn officers, offered the target of a hoodie-wearing Trayvon at the range near Cocoa on April 4, Rosalind Harvey, a port spokeswoman, said Saturday.
The other officers, who were on duty, refused.
King led firearms classes at the range, Harvey said. On his LinkedIn page, he describes himself as night-shift watch commander for the Port Canaveral Police Department and a firearms and personal-safety consultant.
Port Canaveral Interim Chief Executive Officer John Walsh apologized publicly to Trayvon's family Saturday and called King's behavior unacceptable, insensitive and unprofessional.
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"Whether his [King's] act is one of hatred or stupidity, neither one is tolerable," Walsh said.
The 17-year-old South Florida youth was shot by Neighborhood Watch volunteer George Zimmerman on Feb. 26, 2012 in Zimmerman's gated Sanford town-house community.
Zimmerman wasn't arrested until an international outcry resulted in the appointment of a special prosecutor and a second-degree murder charge against Zimmerman. He awaits trial.
Benjamin Crump, an attorney representing Trayvon's parents, issued a statement condemning the target.
"Using a dead child's image as target practice is reprehensible," Crump said.
The Trayvon targets, which feature a bull's eye over his heart, a package of Skittles in his pocket and a beverage can in his right hand, are sold online.
The night he was killed, Trayvon was on the way back to a relative's home from a convenience store, where he had bought the candy and a nonalcoholic drink.
King has a week to appeal his termination.
Before joining the Port Canaveral force, King worked as a Melbourne police officer for nearly 22 years. He was a lieutenant when he left in November 2006, according to LinkedIn. He worked as a manufacturer's representative for Point Blank Solutions from December 2006 until May 2010, his profile states.
[email protected] or 407-540-5981
Sgt. Ron King, a two-year veteran of the force of about 35 sworn officers, offered the target of a hoodie-wearing Trayvon at the range near Cocoa on April 4, Rosalind Harvey, a port spokeswoman, said Saturday.
The other officers, who were on duty, refused.
King led firearms classes at the range, Harvey said. On his LinkedIn page, he describes himself as night-shift watch commander for the Port Canaveral Police Department and a firearms and personal-safety consultant.
Port Canaveral Interim Chief Executive Officer John Walsh apologized publicly to Trayvon's family Saturday and called King's behavior unacceptable, insensitive and unprofessional.
Pictures: 50 Fattiest Foods Across the Nation
"Whether his [King's] act is one of hatred or stupidity, neither one is tolerable," Walsh said.
The 17-year-old South Florida youth was shot by Neighborhood Watch volunteer George Zimmerman on Feb. 26, 2012 in Zimmerman's gated Sanford town-house community.
Zimmerman wasn't arrested until an international outcry resulted in the appointment of a special prosecutor and a second-degree murder charge against Zimmerman. He awaits trial.
Benjamin Crump, an attorney representing Trayvon's parents, issued a statement condemning the target.
"Using a dead child's image as target practice is reprehensible," Crump said.
The Trayvon targets, which feature a bull's eye over his heart, a package of Skittles in his pocket and a beverage can in his right hand, are sold online.
The night he was killed, Trayvon was on the way back to a relative's home from a convenience store, where he had bought the candy and a nonalcoholic drink.
King has a week to appeal his termination.
Before joining the Port Canaveral force, King worked as a Melbourne police officer for nearly 22 years. He was a lieutenant when he left in November 2006, according to LinkedIn. He worked as a manufacturer's representative for Point Blank Solutions from December 2006 until May 2010, his profile states.
[email protected] or 407-540-5981