DIED IN SERVICE TO HIS COUNTRY
On July 17, 2016, a report was received by the police department in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, of a man carrying a gun near a peaceful protest demonstration. Police officers were immediately dispatched to the scene where three officers were shot and killed, and several other officers were wounded, all in an apparent ambush. Investigation disclosed that the shooter, who was subsequently killed by a SWAT officer, had traveled to Baton Rouge from Missouri with the express goal of murdering police officers.
Unfortunately, Officer Matthew Lane Gerald was one of the police fatalities. Gerald was described as the epitome of a proud American who sought satisfaction being of service to his country and community. Following graduation from Central High School in Baton Rouge he enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1994 and served as a Marine until 1998. He worked as a food service specialist and reached the rank of Corporal while serving in duty assignments at Camp Pendleton, California; Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; and Twentynine Palms, California.
A friend reported that while watching TV of the World Trade Center attack on September 11, 2001, Gerald was “glued to the TV, crying.” Eventually when he got up from the sofa he declared, “I’m going back in, for these people.” Thus, in 2002 Gerald joined the Army where he became a crew chief responsible for a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. While serving in the Army until 2009 he attained the rank of Specialist, spent most of his time with the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment at Fort Hood and had three tours in Iraq.
In October 2015, Gerald became an officer with the Baton Rouge Police Department. He graduated from the police academy in March 2016 and had just been released from the field training program to ride by himself less than two weeks before he was killed. Following his death, Gerald’s wife said, "It was like a natural glow when he had his uniform on. He was prideful. You could tell he was excited about being in the police department. He was giving back to his community. He was being a servant once again.” A longtime friend said, “We did our time in the military, and when that time was up, you just can't turn off that want to serve the people. Today he did his final service by giving his life to protect the citizens of Baton Rouge and his fellow brothers and sisters in uniform." Another friend said, “It was an amazing part of his life. He fought for his country. He was patriotic. He bled red, white and blue -- no doubt about it.”
Matthew Lane Gerald left behind a wife and two young daughters. His funeral was attended by hundreds of police officers from around the country, friends, acquaintances and citizens who did not know him. In accord with his wishes he was buried at the Louisiana National Cemetery in Zachary, Louisiana, with full military honors.
Submitted by CDR Roy A. Mosteller, USNR (Ret)
