On Sunday morning, three police officers were mercilessly gunned down by a deranged murderer. Montrell Jackson, Matthew Gerald and Brad Garafola were ambushed by the killer and shot dead.
These are the victims of the heinous slaughter by one individual that will tear apart three beautiful families.
Brad Garafola
Garafola was a 45-year-old East Baton Rouge Parrish Sheriff’s deputy, and had been with the sheriff’s office for 24 years. His shift was supposed to end at 8 in the morning and he would start his vacation on Monday. Brad Garafola was gunned down in cold blood at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday.
He was a husband and father of four children; a 21-year-old son who lives in Texas, a 15-year-old daughter, 12-year-old son and a 7-year-old daughter.
“He loved us so much,” Brad’s wife Tonja Garafola said. “He was always bragging about his family.”
“Everybody on this street depended on him,” his wife said.
“He loved staying outside and fixing things,” Tonja said. “Besides the Sheriff’s Office, that was his passion.”
https://twitter.com/search?f=images&vertical=news&q=brad%20garafola&src=typd
Matthew Gerald
Matthew Gerald’s wife, Dechia, posted an article referencing the Baton Rouge attack on her Facebook with the caption, “Everyone please pray!!! My husband along with others is out there.”
Sadly, it was too late, Matthew Gerald was murdered by the gunman.
Matthew was a 41-year-old father of two daughters.
Matthew Gerald, one of the murdered officers in #BatonRouge. Pray for his family. pic.twitter.com/pabet5wU8e
— Todd Whirley (@ToddWhirley) July 17, 2016
Before joining the Baton Rouge Police Department last year, Gerald served in both the Marines and the Army. He was deployed to Iraq three times.
“We did our time in the military, and when that time was up, you just can’t turn off that want to serve the people,” said Ryan D. Cabral, who served with Gerald in Iraq. “Today he did his final service by giving his life to protect the citizens of Baton Rouge and his fellow brothers and sisters in uniform.”
“After three tours, not a scratch on him. Comes back home, chooses a job to serve others, and this is what our society does?” said Nick Lambert, who also served with Gerald in the Army. “It’s a coward’s way to make a statement.”
Montrell Jackson
Two weeks before he was killed while serving his community, Montrell Jackson wrote what it is like to be a police officer in 2016. Montrell revealed all of the hate that is directed at him for the acts of a few bad cops. The scrutiny had become unbearable for Montrell following the police shooting of Alton Sterling on July 5, 2016.
“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 that 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.”
Montrell was 32-years-old and was on the force for 10 years. He and his wife had just given birth to their son Mason only four months ago.