baton rouge police shooting

Slain Baton Rouge officer penned emotional appeal for peace days before death

Sunday, July 17, 2016

Montrell Jackson was one of three officers killed by a gunman in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on July 17. (Courtesy of Trenisha Jackson via AP)

BATON ROUGE, LA -- Days before his own death, slain Baton Rouge police officer Montrell Jackson took to social media to share an emotional appeal for peace and acceptance.

WATCH VIDEO: Three officers fatally shot in Baton Rouge identified

As tensions ran high following the death of Alton Sterling and the Dallas police ambush, Jackson wrote that he was "tired physically and emotionally" and discussed how people treat him when he is in uniform: "I swear to God I love this city but I wonder if this city loves me. In uniform I get nasty hateful looks and out of uniform some consider me a threat. I've experienced so much in my short life and these last 3 days have tested me to the core."
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Photos: Baton Rouge police shooting
A Superman figure and flowers are left at the entrance to the Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge, La., Sunday, July 17, 2016.none
This undated photo made available by the Baton Rouge Police Dept. shows police officer Matthew Gerald. Gerald, 41, was one of the officers killed.none
This undated photo made available by the East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office shows deputy Brad Garafola. Garafola, 45, was one of the officers killed.none
This undated photo made available by the Baton Rouge Police Dept. shows officer Montrell Jackson. Jackson, 32, has been identified as one of the police officers killed.none
Flowers and crosses are left at the entrance to the Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge, La., Sunday, July 17, 2016.none
Arizona Diamondbacks players and coaches bow their heads during a moment of silence for the slain Baton Rouge, La,, police officers killed.none
Beverly Blakes, the aunt of fallen Baton Rouge policeman Montrell Jackson, hugs Kedrick Pitts, the half-brother of slain Baton Rouge Policeman, Cpl. Jackson.none
Kedrick Pitts, the half-brother of slain Baton Rouge Policeman, Cpl. Montrell Jackson, talks on the phone in front of Montrell's mother's house in Baton Rouge, La.none
President Barack Obama speaks about the Baton Rouge, La., shooting of police officers, Sunday, July 17, 2016, from the briefing room of the White House in Washington.none
President Barack Obama speaks about the shooting of police officers in Baton Rouge, La., Sunday, July 17, 2016.none
President Barack Obama enters the briefing room to speak about the Baton Rouge, La., shooting of police officers, Sunday, July 17, 2016.none
An East Baton Rouge Sheriff's officer enters the B-Quick convenience store at the shooting scene in Baton Rouge, La., where several law enforcement officers were shot.none
In this aerial photo, investigators work part of the shooting scene in Baton Rouge, La., where law enforcement officers were injured and killed, Sunday, July 17, 2016.none
In this aerial photo, investigators work the shooting scene in Baton Rouge, La., where several law enforcement officers were either shot or killed, Sunday, July 17, 2016.none
In this aerial photo, investigators work the shooting scene in Baton Rouge, La., where several law enforcement officers were either shot or killed, Sunday, July 17, 2016.none
In this aerial photo, investigators work the shooting scene in Baton Rouge, La., where several law enforcement officers were either shot or killed, Sunday, July 17, 2016.none
A law enforcement helicopter flies over the crime scene where Baton Rouge police were shot, in Baton Rouge, La., Sunday, July 17, 2016.none
A law enforcement helicopter flies over the crime scene where Baton Rouge police were shot, in Baton Rouge, La., Sunday, July 17, 2016.none
FBI patrol the perimeter of the crime scene in an armored vehicle where Baton Rouge police were shot, in Baton Rouge, La., Sunday, July 17, 2016.none
Law enforcement work the crime scene where Baton Rouge police were shot, in Baton Rouge, La., Sunday, July 17, 2016.none
FBI patrol the perimeter of the crime scene in an armored vehicle where Baton Rouge police were shot, in Baton Rouge, La., Sunday, July 17, 2016.none
FBI patrol the perimeter of the crime scene in an armored vehicle where Baton Rouge police were shot, in Baton Rouge, La., Sunday, July 17, 2016.none
FBI patrol the perimeter of the crime scene in an armored vehicle where Baton Rouge police were shot, in Baton Rouge, La., Sunday, July 17, 2016.none
Police find a shotgun with a pistol grip in a car they stopped and seared on Airline Highway and Goodwood Blvd. near where police were shot in Baton Rouge, La., Sunday, July 17.none
A citizen brings cold drinks and snacks to a Baton Rouge Police officer manning a road block on Old Hammond Highway near the intersection with Airline Highway on Sunday.none
Baton Rouge Police take a man into custody who was driving a car on Airline Highway and Goodwood Blvd. near where police were shot in Baton Rouge, La., Sunday, July 17, 2016.none
East Baton Rouge Sheriff's deputies man a road block on Airline Highway after police were shot in Baton Rouge, La., Sunday, July 17, 2016.none
Police guard the emergency room entrance of Our Lady Of The Lake Medical Center, where wounded officers were brought, in Baton Rouge, La., Sunday, July 17, 2016.none
Police guard the emergency room entrance of Our Lady Of The Lake Medical Center, where wounded officers were brought, in Baton Rouge, La., Sunday, July 17, 2016.none
An East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Department helicopter circles the area over Airline Highway after police were shot in Baton Rouge, La., Sunday, July 17, 2016.none
State Police block direct traffic off Airline Highway after Baton Rouge police were shot in Baton Rouge, La., on Sunday, July 17, 2016.none
Baton Rouge Police with assault rifles block Airline Highway after police were shot in Baton Rouge, La., Sunday, July 17, 2016.none
Police stop a car and direct the driver to show his hands after coming from the direction of a police shooting on Airline Highway in Baton Rouge, La., on Sunday, July 17, 2016.none
Police guard the emergency room entrance of Our Lady Of The Lake Medical Center, where wounded officers were brought, in Baton Rouge, La., Sunday, July 17, 2016.none
Baton Rouge police block Airline Highway after police were shot in Baton Rouge, La., Sunday, July 17, 2016.AP
Baton Rouge police officers man a roadblock at Old Hammond Highway and Tara Boulevard after multiple officers were shot, Sunday, July 17, 2016, in Baton Rouge, La.AP
Baton Rouge police officers man a roadblock at Old Hammond Highway and Tara Boulevard after multiple officers were shot, Sunday, July 17, 2016, in Baton Rouge, La.AP
Baton Rouge police block Airline Highway after police were shot in Baton Rouge, La., Sunday, July 17, 2016.AP
Baton Rouge Police arrive at the scene on Airline Highway after police were shot in Baton Rouge, La., Sunday, July 17, 2016.AP
Baton Rouge Police block Airline Highway after police were shot in Baton Rouge, La., Sunday, July 17, 2016.AP
Authorities talk to the driver of a car near an area where several officers were shot while on duty less than a mile from police headquarters, Sunday, July 17, 2016, in Baton RougeAP


Jackson then goes on to express solidarity with everybody impacted by recent tragedies and urges his friends not to let hate infect their hearts: "I personally want to send prayers out to everyone directly affected by this tragedy. These are trying times. Please don't let hate infect your heart. This city MUST and WILL get better."

He ends the post by reassuring his friends and family that he is on their side. "If you see me and need a hug or want to say a prayer. I got you."
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Screenshots of the post, which is no longer visible on Jackson's profile, have been widely circulated across social media. The Associated Press was able to independently verify the authenticity of the post.

Read the full text of Jackson's post: "I'm tired physically and emotionally. Disappointed in some family, friends, and officers for some reckless comments but hey what's in your heart is in your heart. I still love you because hate takes too much energy but I definitely won't be looking at you the same. Thank you to everyone that has reached out to me or my wife it was needed and much appreciated. I swear to God I love this city but I wonder if this city loves me. In uniform I get nasty hateful looks and out of uniform some consider me a threat. I've experienced so much in my short life and these last 3 days have tested me to the core. When people you know begin question your integrity you realize they don't really know you at all. Look at my actions they speak LOUD and CLEAR. Finally I personally want to send prayers out to everyone directly affected by this tragedy. These are trying times. Please don't let hate infect your heart. This city MUST and WILL get better. 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."

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