He was one of six law enforcement officers struck during the gunfire. There will be a procession from the church to Louisiana National Cemetary where Gerald will be buried.
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Men and women of the Baton Rouge community gathered at the Resthaven Funeral Home to view the body of Officer Matthew Gerald.
Local sheriff’s deputy Brad Garafola’s (gar-ah-FOE’-lah) will be remembered at a Saturday funeral. Long died in the ensuing gunfight with police.
Banks-Daniel and some other council members say they believe that police officers who live within city limits are better able to connect with the neighborhoods they patrol and police.
Police gunned down Long, a 29-year-old former Marine from Kansas City, Missouri, after he shot and killed three officers and wounded three others during a shootout Sunday. The casket for the veteran who served three tours in Iraq will be customized to reflect that service.
Trey Ganem is owner of Trey Ganem Designs in Edna, Texas.
Ganem said “Cpl. Jackson’s wife thought of him as Superman” so his casket will have a Superman shield.
Baton Rouge is preparing for the funerals of three slain police officers.
While the showing of support may be a small gesture, Glover said he hopes it will have a big impact on the family as their loved one continues to recover. Days later, Baton Rouge was shaken by the controversial shooting of a black man named Alton Sterling. Video footage set off angry protests in the city’s black community.
All three were shot to death Sunday by a lone gunman, Gavin Long, who was fatally shot by police after killing the three and wounding three others. The U.S. Department of Justice has opened a civil rights investigation into the incident. He also peddled self-published books about empowerment and spiritual enlightenment.
On Thursday, one of the officers wounded in the ambush, East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Deputy Bruce Simmons, was discharged from the hospital.
Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden called on mourners – and the greater community – to set aside whatever differences they may have with law enforcement and show respect to police.
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Ganem said Texas officers were escorting the caskets to Baton Rouge on Thursday from Edna, located about 90 miles southwest of Houston.
