Friday’s service for officer Matthew Gerald is the first of three funerals that will take place.
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“We send those officers not only for the department to represent and show their department that we support them”, said Lafayette Police Department’s Public Information Officer Paul Mouton, “But to show the family and the children of those fallen officers that hey you have family across the nation and we’re here to support you”.
Gerald was among three law officers killed, and three wounded, in a shooting carried out Sunday by 29-year-old Gavin Eugene Long of Kansas City.
A Baton Rouge police officer and a mourner embrace at a funeral services for police officer Matthew Gerald at Healing Place Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, July 22, 2016.
Friday’s mourners included a police contingent from Dallas, where five officers were killed on July 7 by another black former US serviceman.
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) – Friends and family are gathering to remember Brad Garafola, one of three officers shot and killed last Sunday by a gunman. “Basically, portraying law enforcement as these bunch of bullies who go around and beat people up …”
“I told him to be careful, and to keep a cool head”, Mulkey recalled.
The two officers involved in Sterling’s death were put on administrative leave and the U.S. Justice Department is investigating, but the streets have been busy with people demanding an end to police shootings of black men.
Sgt. Stanton with the Birmingham Police Department headed to Baton Rouge on Friday.
“I’m just numb. You just don’t think it would happen in our hometown”, Parent said, dabbing at tears.
Cpl. Lester Mitchell began riding with Gerald on July 1. “The objective is so that we can have a situation where we have officers and communities that are working together, where there’s a continual police presence in the community”, Banks-Daniel said.
On the day of the attack, the partners had been writing reports at police headquarters when Gerald said he was feeling exhausted, and was going for an energy drink at the B-Quick convenience store a few blocks away.
Someone at the store approached Gerald, saying an armed man was walking through the area, Mitchell said.
Gerald’s brother-in-law Justin Badeaux said in an emotional tribute, “He laid his life down to protect his community and country”.
“There is no doubt whatsoever that these officers were intentionally targeted and assassinated”, Col. Michael Edmonson, superintendent of the Louisiana State Police, said Monday.
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“I have served my country, and now it’s time to serve my community”, Gerald answered, according to commander J.D. Leach. Gerald radioed for help, and Mitchell was among the officers who raced to the scene, hearing gunfire as they arrived.
