ZACHARY, La. – Hundreds joined relatives of slain Baton Rouge Police Officer Montrell Jackson during a memorial service Sunday evening in the town of Zachary.
Using Catholic hymnals, believers of different faiths and race brought to their knees by the deaths of three officers rose together.
“This service helped me to realize that there is unity here,” Omar Rahman, Jackson’s cousin, said.
Rahman said Jackson was a groomsman in his cousin’s wedding and was also father to a young son. However, a gunman six officers Sunday morning. Three, including Jackson, died.
“My heart is broken and torn,” Robert Williams, another one of Jackson’s cousins, said. “But, I believe that God is the healer in the midst of what we’re going through.”
Since the death of Alton Sterling, a man killed by police in Baton Rouge weeks ago, there has been tension between police and some in the community. Still, hundreds filled every pew and aisle of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. They offered more than prayers for peace. Many felt moved to act. By worshipping together, sharing differences, having hard conversations and building bonds, the group plans to heal through faith.
“I had those frustrations, those fears as an American,” Matt Hays, pastor of Lighthouse Church in Zachary, said. “Then, there was just this surge of determination that I’m not going to accept this as the new normal.”
Neither will Jackson’s family. They are too determined to see peace prevail, Rahman said.
