Byron's father performed at the same church that Martin Luther King Jr.'s family attended. Byron and King were childhood friends. In fact, after Dr. King's assassination, Byron's security company provided bodyguards and surveillance for the King family. Despite their close relationship, Byron nor his family ever marched with King's movement because of King's stance against bearing arms, especially during peaceful protests. Byron recalled, "I always said that I would not march unless they would let me carry my shotgun."