One of the seven CIA agents killed in Afghanistan by a suicide bomber had strong Irish ties. Scotty Roberson was a founder member of the Emerald Society for officers of Irish heritage in his police department in Atlanta Georgia before he joined the CIA.

Members of the Irish community in Atlanta arranged  for a special mass in his memory, which was celebrated on Wednesday. Friends said that he founded the Emerald Society because of his deep pride in his Irish heritage. His wife Molly is expecting their first child next month.   

Fellow officers described him as a hero. "Somebody you would always want with you, if you were having a problem," said Deputy Chief Peter Andresen.

"Scotty always aspired to do better. That's what he did. And that's why he was where he was at," said Atlanta Police Sgt. Jack Bentley.

Roberson was working for the CIA in Khost province when a suicide bomber who was thought to be a friendly source got inside the CIA outpost.

The blast killed seven agents.

"So many people knew Scotty in a variety of different ways, but he was always a friend. Family parties at the house, an avid motorcycle rider...always there for everybody else," said Andresen.