A Houston-area company is donating custom caskets for three law enforcement officers who were killed in Baton Rouge by a man targeting police.
According to KTRK-TV ABC13 in Houston, Trey Ganem Designs has spent hours researching each fallen officer, speaking to his family and designing his casket.
Today, the caskets will be escorted by dozens of local officers to Louisiana.
“It’s a lot of responsibility and it has to be passionate and it has to be perfect,” Ganem says. “Knowing these guys were out there to protect and serve, I want to do my part.”
Baton Rouge police Cpl. Montrell Jackson and Officer Matthew Gerald and East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Deputy Brad Garafola Sr. were gunned down last Sunday outside a gas station by a man targeting police.
Ganem says he wanted to donate the caskets, especially because he used to work in law enforcement.
“This is just heartbreaking that it happened, but we want to try to help the families,” Ganem says.
A year ago, Ganem converted his custom car shop in Edna to a custom casket shop. Edna is about 90 miles southwest of Houston.
In his research, he learned what is important to each of the officer’s families. Gerald’s wife wanted his military background represented as well as his family. He had two children.
Jackson’s wife thought of him as Superman. His will have a Superman shield.
Garafola’s family wanted a collage of family photos inside. Everything outside will be removable because they plan to donate the casket, knowing, sadly, there will be another fallen officer.
A personalized casket brings loved ones joy, Ganem says.
“When people see it for the first time, their whole mood changes,” he says.
Ganem will be part of the caravan escorting the caskets this morning. He hopes his contribution somehow helps.
“I’m saying thank you, thank you for your service,” says Ganem.
KTRK-TV has the full story and video.
