He was a ten-year veteran on the police force, and just welcomed a baby boy.
Montrell Jackson, 32, was one of the three officers killed in a July 18th Baton Rouge shooting.
Jackson’s former colleague Marcus Tillman told NBC News that he had spoken to Jackson after the shooting of Alton Sterling earlier this month.
Jackson was so distraught over the ordeal that he took to his Facebook page to vent.
“I swear to God I love this city but I wonder if this city loves me,” he wrote.
“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.”
Every single person who was interviewed by a media outlet had only positive things to say about Jackson.
Jackson’s next door neighbor, Kristi Vick Godal described him as a “big man” but a gentle one. He also served as their neighborhood’s homeowner’s association president.
“We’ve all just been devastated,” Godal said. “An extremely special human being was stolen from the earth.”
The two other victims, Matthew Gerald, 41, and Brad Garafola, 45 were also fathers.
The suspect, Gavin Long of Kansas City, Missouri, was shot dead by police.
