Slain Baton Rouge Officer Called for End of Hatred Days Before Death

Just nine days before a shooter gunned down Baton Rouge police officer Montrell Jackson and two others in the line of duty, Jackson penned an emotional Facebook post calling for peace in the wake of Alton Sterling’s death.

“These are trying times,” pled Jackson. “Please don’t let hate infect your heart. This city MUST and WILL get better.”

In the post, Jackson drew on his experiences as both a black man and a cop to express his disappointment with the “reckless comments” made by some friends, family members and other officers.

“I swear to God I love this city but I wonder if this city loves me,” wrote Jackson. “In uniform I get nasty hateful looks and out of uniform some consider me a threat.”

Finally, Jackson pledged to do his part to help the city recover, writing, “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.”

Speaking to The Advocate, Darnell Murdock, one of Jackson’s friends, described the fallen officer as a new father to a young son who “loved his job.”

“It motivated him to go out and change people’s lives. He was on [the force] to help people, to make you have a better day,” said Murdock “He was humble, kind and sweet. … He wasn’t on there to write tickets. I don’t understand how this could happen to someone like him.”