[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Pages 12101-12102]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING CORPORAL MONTRELL JACKSON, DEPUTY BRAD GARAFOLA, AND OFFICER 
                             MATTHEW GERALD

  Mr. CASSIDY. Mr. President, I rise today to honor three brave men: 
Corporal Montrell Jackson, Deputy Brad Garafola, and Officer Matthew 
Gerald.
  It has been a tough summer in Louisiana. Not only did we have the 
floods of which I spoke yesterday, but we had the Alton Sterling 
shooting, the civil unrest afterwards, and then these three officers 
killed and several others shot. I will speak today to these officers.
  On July 17, the three men I just mentioned gave their lives while 
protecting our community when ambushed while reporting to a 9-1-1 call. 
Deputy Nick Tullier, Deputy Bruce Simmons, and Officer Chad Montgomery 
were injured during this attack. Thankfully, Deputy Simmons and Officer 
Montgomery have returned home to their families, but Deputy Tullier 
remains in the hospital. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.
  Speaking of those who died, Corporal Jackson was a 10-year veteran of 
the Baton Rouge Police Department, a loving husband to his wife 
Trenisha, and a father to his 4-month-old child, Mason. Following the 
shooting of Mr. Alton Sterling, Montrell wrote on his Facebook page:

       I personally want to send prayers out to everyone affected 
     by this tragedy. These are trying times. Please don't let 
     hate infect your heart. This city must and will get better.

  Deputy Garafola served the East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office for over 
24 years. He was a beloved son, husband to his wife Tonja, and father 
to their four children: Garrett, Braley, Brad, and Samantha. He was 
remembered for always selflessly trying to help others. At the time of 
his death, he again acted selflessly, giving his life when he saw 
another officer down, running to that officer who was injured during 
the attack and by doing so exposing himself to fatal gunfire.
  Officer Matthew Gerald joined the Baton Rouge Police Department just 
last year. Before this, he had bravely served our country in both the 
Army and Marine Corps. Between 2002 and 2009, Matt completed three 
tours of duty in Iraq as a crew chief on a helicopter crew and received 
numerous awards and medals. Prior to his service in the Army, he had 
enlisted in the Marine Corps in New Orleans and served 4 years from 
1994 to 1998. Matt was a loving son, husband to his wife Dechia, and 
father to Dawelyn and Fynleigh. His wife recently announced she is 
pregnant with their third child.
  Each of those men shared common core values that guided them: 
service, stewardship, and sacrifice. They put the needs and well-being 
of others before their own. Scripture says, ``Greater love hath no man 
than this, that a

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man lay down his life for his friends.'' In protecting their community, 
these men paid the ultimate sacrifice. I honor their lives and thank 
their families for their selfless service to the city of Baton Rouge, 
to the State of Louisiana, and to the United States of America.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Cassidy). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

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