The first of three funerals was held on Friday for the Baton Rouge police officers killed when they walked into an ambush last week.
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“For Matthew Gerald, being a cop wasn’t just what he did, it was who he was”, said Baton Rouge Police Chief Carl Dabadie Jr., whose voice broke several times as he eulogized the slain officer. “Hearts go out to the families, and this has broken our heart as well”.
Residents in some communities are going out of their way to show support for police officers. “He achieved the rank of U.S. Army specialist, earning four air medals”. Gerald radioed back to dispatch, and Mitchell and other officers raced to the scene, hearing gunfire as they arrived. “Matt was an unbelievable husband, son, father and a friend”.
Baton Rouge police block Airline Highway after police were shot in Baton Rouge, La., Sunday, July 17, 2016.
The deaths of Baton Rouge Officers Montrell Jackson and Matthew Gerald and Sheriff’s Deputy Brad Garafola sent the city deeper into mourning. Lester Mitchell, a black man with 11 years in the police force, said they were talking about the recent madness that had taken the country after the videos of black people being killed by law enforcement officers and the tragic Dallas shooting against the police.
Black activists maintain that unjustified shootings of Africans Americans by police have to stop along with the retaliatory killing of police officers.
Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards and Louisiana Congressman Garret Graves both were in attendance and delivered eulogies to the fallen officer. “It was a calculated act”.
The services for Garafola were held the same day mourners gathered in Kansas City, Kan., for the funeral of Capt. Robert “Dave” Melton, who was gunned down Tuesday in his patrol vehicle while searching for a shooting suspect.
In the days before the Louisiana shootings, demonstrators had been demanding justice for victims of police brutality, particularly Alton Sterling, who was killed here on July 5.
Law enforcement analysts say many police departments feel embattled, leading to a heightened sense of vigilance among officers. The 41-year-old police officer was shot and killed on duty on Sunday. “Basically, portraying law enforcement as these bunch of bullies who go around and beat people up …”
“Thank you, Brad Garafola, for protecting and serving our community, for holding the line, so that we could be safe”. His funeral is Friday in Baton Rouge.
“A community in mourning should evaluate itself and say, ‘What else can I do to make my community better, ‘” Holden said.
“The men and women who put on those uniforms, they respect you”.
Ganem met with Matthew Gerald’s wife, Dechia Gerald, at the Rest Haven Funeral Home. However, she did write a letter, which was distributed to mourners.
Tiffany Perez, personal assistant to Ganem, said she helped with the initial correspondence with the families.
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In a sea of red, white and blue Garafola’s procession made a stop near the site of the shooting.
