Press Release

Statement by AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka on the Shootings in Baton Rouge

Our hearts are again heavy with grief. 

On Sunday, three of our brothers at the International Union of Police Associations were killed in another senseless act of violence: Mathew Gerald, 41, a Marine veteran and father of two daughters; Brad Garafola, 45, who had served three tours in Iraq and was the father of two sons and two daughters; and Montrell Jackson, 32, a new father of a baby boy whose last post on Facebook said: “Please don’t let hate infect your heart.”

This happened one day after the last slain Dallas police officer, Patrick Zamarripa, a 32 year old Navy veteran and father of a two-year old daughter was buried. The other Dallas officers laid to rest last week included Lorne Ahrens, 48, a 14-year veteran and father of two; Michael Smith, 55, an Army veteran 27 years on the force and father of two daughters; Michael Krol, 40, nine years on the police force; and Brent Thompson, 43, a transit police officer, father, grandfather, and newlywed.  We honor the commitment of all these men to public service.

We mourn their loss to their families and our community. We pray for the swift recovery of our wounded brothers in Baton Rouge and Dallas. And we condemn the appalling and indefensible acts of violence that are devastating families and communities across our country.

Contact: Charity Jackson (202) 637-5018