Baton Rouge to continue to mourn officers slain in ambush

Friends and family are gathering to remember Brad Garafola, one of three officers shot and killed last Sunday by a gunman.

Police said the attack shattered days without significant violence in Baton Rouge, even as thousands protested amid heightened racial tension following the police shooting of Alton Sterling, a black man whose death was recorded and posted online.

Deputy Garafola died a hero and on Saturday, people gathered by the thousands to pay tribute to his life and his bravery.

The line of mourners snaked through hallways in the 1,500-seat sanctuary at Istrouma Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, out the back door and into the parking lot. Gerald radioed for help, and Mitchell was among the officers who raced to the scene, hearing gunfire as they arrived.

Governor John Bel Edwards quoted scripture from the book of Joshua: “Be strong and courageous says the Lord”.

“He never asked anything for what he did”, Cooper said.

Garafola left his protected position to try to help the injured officer.

The two officers involved in Sterling’s death were put on administrative leave and the U.S. Justice Department is investigating, but the streets have been busy with people demanding an end to police shootings of black men. Bellevue Police Officer Paul Dill said their chief thinks it’s important to honor brother and sister officers.

Officers are selected to be in the Honor Guard after an application process, and participate in it in addition to their regular duties.

Early arrivals for Garafola’s service included a deputy who worked with Garafola in the department’s foreclosure division. He was dressed in Scottish regalia as drum major for a pipe band, which played “Amazing Grace” outside the church after four helicopters flew over in salute.

The city of Baton Rouge will continue to memorialize officers slain in a shoot-out outside a convenience store just a week ago with funeral services planned Monday for police officer Montrell Jackson.

Hundreds of loved ones and fellow law enforcement said farewell to the 45-year-old sheriff’s deputy, as the funeral procession moved past the convenience store outside which he was killed. “He was on the front lines fighting terrorism to keep our nation safe”.

Authorities allege that a local man, 20-year-old Jamaal Lewis, shot and killed Melton while the officer was investigating a drive-by shooting.