By Police1 Staff
BATON ROUGE, La. — The wife of an officer who was killed during the July 2016 ambush in Baton Rouge received a living reminder of her husband last week.
Matthew Gerald’s wife Dechia gave birth to their son Falyn Matthew on March 21, WAFB reported. As a tribute to his dad, Falyn carries on his dad’s law enforcement nickname “Buttons.”
Dechia, who has worn her husband’s wedding ring as a necklace since he died, said Falyn wouldn’t let go of the ring the first time she held him.
Matthew Gerald, along with Officers Montrell Jackson and Brad Garafola, were ambushed by a gunman on July 17, 2016, the Associated Press reported. Officer Nick Tullier was critically injured as well. He is still in recovery. The gunman was killed at the scene.
After the ambush, Dechia discovered she was pregnant and had conceived the baby just five days before Matthew’s death. She said although Matthew isn’t with them anymore, a piece of him will be with her every day.
“I can just feel his presence. I don’t have to worry about the anxiety or worry where’s he’s at or what he’s doing because at this moment, he’s here with us,” Dechia told WAFB.