Six Baton Rouge law enforcement officers were shot by a lone gunman Sunday morning in an ambush attack. Three of those officers died.
The victims have been identified as as: Officer Montrell Jackson, 32, of Baton Rouge; Officer Matthew Gerald, 41, of Denham Springs; and Deputy Brad Garafola, 45.
Jackson served with BRPD for a decade, and Gerald, a former Marine, was still in his first year with the force. Law enforcement officials said Gerald had just completed the Field Training Officer program.
Garafola served 24 years with the Sheriff’s Office and was also a former Marine. He twice earned deputy of the month, once in 2013 and 2015. He is survived by four children and a wife. Officials said she pulled up to the scene when he didn’t answer his phone and discovered the horrific news. They were set to go on vacation on Monday morning.
Montrell Jackson’s uncle Fred Jackson is a former football coach at Michigan and Josh Jackson, quarterback at Virginia Tech, is Montrell’s cousin.
Jackson leaves behind a wife and newborn son. His family has set up a GoFundMe account to benefit them: https://www.gofundme.com/2exp2qs
Jackson recently opened up on social media after the officer-involved shooting death of a Baton Rouge man, Alton Sterling.
“I’m tired physically and emotionally. Disappointed in some family, friends, and officers for some reckless comments but hey what’s in your heart is in your heart. I still love you all because hate takes too much energy but I definitely won’t be looking at you the same. Thank you to everyone who has reached out to me or my wife it was needed and much appreciated. I swear to God I love this city but I wonder if this city loves me. In uniform I get nasty hateful looks and out of uniform some consider me a threat. I’ve experienced so much in my short life and these last 3 days have tested me to the core. When people you know begin to question your integrity you realize they don’t really know you at all. Look at my actions they speak LOUD and CLEAR. Finally I personally want to send prayers out to everyone directly affected by this tragedy. These are trying times. Please don’t let hate infect your heart. This city MUST and WILL get better. I’m working in these streets, so any protesters, officers, friends, family, or whoever, if you see me and need a hug or want to say a prayer. I got you.”
Jackson’s sister said he was responding as backup when he was shot in the head and killed.
A neighbor described Jackson as a deeply caring man to NBC News. He also mentored her children.
“He loved his city,” Godal told NBC. “It is an absolute tragedy. He was a police officer but he was also a proud black man.”
In an interview with the Washington Post, Jackson’s sister said she will always remember the 6-foot-3 officer as a little boy who was a picky eater and only wanted Burger King.
Baton Rouge Police Chief Carl Dabadie described the officers as more than just a badge.
“They were amazing men, they were heroes, they served this community,” Dabadie said.
In a release, Sheriff Sid Gautreaux said they were all family men.
“These men are husbands, fathers, sons and brother. We are devastated to lose one of our own, and another is now in a fight for his life. We are asking for your prayers at this time. We will get through this together as a family and as a community.”