SLS 17RS-3128 ORIGINAL
2017 Regular Session
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 222
BY SENATOR BARROW
COMMENDATIONS. Honors the lives of Officer Matthew Gerald and Corporal Montrell
Jackson who lost their lives in service to the Baton Rouge City Police Department.
1 A RESOLUTION
2 To posthumously commemorate and honor the lives of Officer Matthew Gerald and
3 Corporal Montrell Jackson of the Baton Rouge Police Department by the Senate of
4 the Legislature of Louisiana, to commend these two individuals whose lives were
5 well-spent in service to their community, state, and country, and to acknowledge
6 their ultimate sacrifice on July 17, 2016.
7 WHEREAS, condolences are also extended to the family, friends, and fellowship of
8 law enforcement personnel who loved and admired Officer Matthew Gerald and Corporal
9 Montrell Jackson for their dedication to professional excellence and the values that they
10 upheld; and
11 WHEREAS, Corporal Montrell Lyle Jackson was a ten-year veteran of the Baton
12 Rouge Police Department who died in the line of duty while protecting the lives of other law
13 enforcement officers and the citizens of Baton Rouge; and
14 WHEREAS, he was the loving and devoted husband to Trenisha Jackson and father
15 to their young son, Mason Lyle Jackson; and
16 WHEREAS, Montrell Jackson was a God-fearing family man, who was loyal,
17 respectful, and honest; and
18 WHEREAS, Montrell Jackson pursued his true vocation of law enforcement upon
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1 graduation from the Baton Rouge Police Academy on June 6, 2006; he swore an oath to step
2 into harm's way to protect and serve his community; and
3 WHEREAS, Matthew Lane Gerald served four years in the United States Marine
4 Corps, attaining the rank of corporal and was honorably discharged; he then rejoined the
5 military in 2002 with the United States Army and was deployed to Iraq for three tours; he
6 worked as a Black Hawk helicopter crew chief, a Longknife Squadron member, and Stetson
7 Troop 4/3 ACR member while earning many decorations, including four Air Medals; and
8 WHEREAS, the oldest cadet in his graduating class at the police academy and a
9 first-year officer of the Baton Rouge Police Department, Matthew Gerald had an exuberance
10 for "wearing the blue" that was evident to all who had the privilege to know him; he was
11 affectionately called "Mr. Buttons" by his BRPD family; and
12 WHEREAS, Matthew was devoted to his wife, Dechia, and their daughters, Dawclyn
13 and Fynleigh; and eight months after his passing, a blessed event occurred; a son was born
14 into the Gerald family, Falyn Matthew Gerald, who has earned the nickname of "Baby
15 Buttons" after his father; and
16 WHEREAS, both policemen were held in high regard by their peers, both took pride
17 in their contributions to the Baton Rouge community, and both had an endearing compassion
18 for people they served; and
19 WHEREAS, as easy-going as they both were, Matthew Gerald and Montrell Jackson
20 did not hesitate to voice their opinion if any action challenged their morals and values; and
21 WHEREAS, in the days and weeks that followed their passing, both widows,
22 Trenisha Jackson and Dechia Gerald, called upon the citizens of Baton Rouge to come
23 together in unity for the purpose of good and to not let hate infect hearts or the community
24 as a whole; and
25 WHEREAS, law enforcement is a noble calling and the extraordinary character,
26 humanity, and sacrifice of these individuals was made evident in the outpouring of
27 appreciation and enduring gratitude from the people of the city, state, and nation; and
28 WHEREAS, Officer Matthew Gerald and Corporal Montrell Jackson shall forever
29 be remembered for their bravery and dedication to our country, our community, and our
30 fellow man; these men are our heroes; and
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1 WHEREAS, as their law enforcement comrades in arms would note, Officer
2 Matthew Gerald and Corporal Montrell Jackson of the Baton Rouge Police Department are
3 at the End of Watch; and they have gone to their heavenly home to be at peace with the Lord
4 and under the eternal protection of St. Michael, patron saint of The Thin Blue Line.
5 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
6 does hereby posthumously commemorate and honor the lives of Officer Matthew Gerald and
7 Corporal Montrell Jackson of the Baton Rouge Police Department and does hereby
8 acknowledge their ultimate sacrifice.
9 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana does
10 hereby recognize the exemplary public service performed by these law enforcement officers
11 for the citizens of this state and that the legacy of their bravery forever shall remain a
12 memory.
13 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
14 families of Officer Matthew Gerald and Corporal Montrell Jackson.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Susan P. Montague.
DIGEST
SR 222 Original 2017 Regular Session Barrow
Honors the lives of Baton Rouge City Policemen, Officer Matthew Gerald and Corporal
Montrell Jackson.
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