PRAIRIEVILLE — The family of a Baton Rouge Police officer who died in the line of duty has been given a mortgage-free home by the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

The Prairieville home is part of Tunnel to Towers’ nationwide observance of the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, honoring 55 families of fallen first responders with mortgage-free homes across the country. The program offered to either pay off the mortgages of families' homes or award them a new, mortgage-free home.

BRPD officer Matthew Gerald's wife and daughters are among the program's recipients who received a new mortgage-free home.

Gerald was one of three officers who died during a July 17 ambush near Hammond Aire Plaza. Three other officers were injured in the attack. 

Gerald's wife was pregnant at the time with the couple's third daughter.  

"Officer Matthew Gerald was a superhero," Tunnel to Towers Chairman and CEO Frank Siller said in a statement on Friday. "When he saw the tragedy unfolding in New York 25 years ago, he made the decision to be part of America’s response to the attacks. Knowing the risks, he re-enlisted and served three tours in Iraq. He returned home and lost his life protecting the citizens of Baton Rouge. This home will be a permanent reminder that America has not forgotten what he sacrificed for us, at home and abroad."

Tunnel to Towers Executive Vice President of Marketing and Communications Larry Olson said that the children of families like Gerald's will also have their education paid for through a scholarship program that the foundation is establishing.

"That includes trade school, junior college, whatever they decide to do," Olson said.