Three officers were gunned down in Baton Rouge, Louisiana yesterday [Sunday, July 17], one of those officers being 32-year-old Montrell Jackson.
Jackson posted a message on Facebook that has now gone viral. In his post he talks about the constant battle of being a Black man and a police officer. His post came a day after the killing of Alton Sterling by two Baton Rouge police officers, one of the incidents that has sparked extreme violence against officers that has been going on across the nation (most recently in Dallas where five officers were killed during a protest).
Jackson wrote, “I’m tired physically and emotionally. Disappointed in some family, friends, and officers for some reckless comments but hey what’s in your heart is in your heart. I still love you all because hate takes too much energy but I definitely won’t be looking at you the same. Thank you to everyone who has reached out to me or my wife it was needed and much appreciated. I swear to God I love this city but I wonder if this city loves me. In uniform I get nasty hateful looks and out of uniform some consider me a threat. I’ve experienced so much in my short life and these last 3 days have tested me to the core. When people you know begin to question your integrity you realize they don’t really know you at all. Look at my actions they speak LOUD and CLEAR. Finally I personally want to send prayers out to everyone directly affected by this tragedy. These are trying times. Please don’t let hate infect your heart. This city MUST and WILL get better. I’m working in these streets, so any protesters, officers, friends, family, or whoever, if you see me and need a hug or want to say a prayer. I got you.”
Jackson’s murder has left a lot of people grieving especially his wife, with whom he had a four-month-old son with. He had been with the department for 10 years and his colleagues has nothing but good things to say about him. Jackson was very adamant about making change in his community by leading by example and met a tragic, untimely demise.
