2017 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 222
BY SENATORS BARROW, ALARIO, ALLAIN, APPEL, BISHOP, BOUDREAUX,
CARTER, CHABERT, CLAITOR, COLOMB, CORTEZ, DONAHUE,
ERDEY, FANNIN, GATTI, HEWITT, JOHNS, LAFLEUR, LAMBERT,
LONG, LUNEAU, MARTINY, MILKOVICH, MILLS, MIZELL,
MORRELL, MORRISH, PEACOCK, PERRY, PETERSON, RISER,
GARY SMITH, JOHN SMITH, TARVER, THOMPSON,
WALSWORTH, WARD AND WHITE
A RESOLUTION
To posthumously commemorate and honor the lives of Officer Matthew Gerald and
Corporal Montrell Jackson of the Baton Rouge Police Department by the Senate of
the Legislature of Louisiana, to commend these two individuals whose lives were
well-spent in service to their community, state, and country, and to acknowledge
their ultimate sacrifice on July 17, 2016.
WHEREAS, condolences are also extended to the family, friends, and fellowship of
law enforcement personnel who loved and admired Officer Matthew Gerald and Corporal
Montrell Jackson for their dedication to professional excellence and the values that they
upheld; and
WHEREAS, Corporal Montrell Lyle Jackson was a ten-year veteran of the Baton
Rouge Police Department who died in the line of duty while protecting the lives of other law
enforcement officers and the citizens of Baton Rouge; and
WHEREAS, he was the loving and devoted husband to Trenisha Jackson and father
to their young son, Mason Lyle Jackson; and
WHEREAS, Montrell Jackson was a God-fearing family man, who was loyal,
respectful, and honest; and
WHEREAS, Montrell Jackson pursued his true vocation of law enforcement upon
graduation from the Baton Rouge Police Academy on June 6, 2006; he swore an oath to step
into harm's way to protect and serve his community; and
WHEREAS, Matthew Lane Gerald served four years in the United States Marine
Corps, attaining the rank of corporal and was honorably discharged; he then rejoined the
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military in 2002 with the United States Army and was deployed to Iraq for three tours; he
worked as a Black Hawk helicopter crew chief, a Longknife Squadron member, and Stetson
Troop 4/3 ACR member while earning many decorations, including four Air Medals; and
WHEREAS, the oldest cadet in his graduating class at the police academy and a
first-year officer of the Baton Rouge Police Department, Matthew Gerald had an exuberance
for "wearing the blue" that was evident to all who had the privilege to know him; he was
affectionately called "Mr. Buttons" by his BRPD family; and
WHEREAS, Matthew was devoted to his wife, Dechia, and their daughters, Dawclyn
and Fynleigh; and eight months after his passing, a blessed event occurred; a son was born
into the Gerald family, Falyn Matthew Gerald, who has earned the nickname of "Baby
Buttons" after his father; and
WHEREAS, both policemen were held in high regard by their peers, both took pride
in their contributions to the Baton Rouge community, and both had an endearing compassion
for people they served; and
WHEREAS, as easy-going as they both were, Matthew Gerald and Montrell Jackson
did not hesitate to voice their opinion if any action challenged their morals and values; and
WHEREAS, in the days and weeks that followed their passing, both widows,
Trenisha Jackson and Dechia Gerald, called upon the citizens of Baton Rouge to come
together in unity for the purpose of good and to not let hate infect hearts or the community
as a whole; and
WHEREAS, law enforcement is a noble calling and the extraordinary character,
humanity, and sacrifice of these individuals was made evident in the outpouring of
appreciation and enduring gratitude from the people of the city, state, and nation; and
WHEREAS, Officer Matthew Gerald and Corporal Montrell Jackson shall forever
be remembered for their bravery and dedication to our country, our community, and our
fellow man; these men are our heroes; and
WHEREAS, as their law enforcement comrades in arms would note, Officer
Matthew Gerald and Corporal Montrell Jackson of the Baton Rouge Police Department are
at the End of Watch; and they have gone to their heavenly home to be at peace with the Lord
and under the eternal protection of St. Michael, patron saint of The Thin Blue Line.
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THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby posthumously commemorate and honor the lives of Officer Matthew Gerald and
Corporal Montrell Jackson of the Baton Rouge Police Department and does hereby
acknowledge their ultimate sacrifice.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana does
hereby recognize the exemplary public service performed by these law enforcement officers
for the citizens of this state and that the legacy of their bravery forever shall remain a
memory.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
families of Officer Matthew Gerald and Corporal Montrell Jackson.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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