Cit Pat | 'It's like a Christmas gift to Jim,' family says of post office memorial to fallen police officer

JACKSON, MI - To Amy Bonneau, another chance for the city to remember her son was the best gift she could have gotten this Christmas season.

Her son, Jackson Police Officer James Bonneau, was killed in the line of duty in 2010. On Thursday afternoon, President Barack Obama signed a bill into law that will rename the Jackson Post Office after him.

When she got the news Thursday evening, Amy Bonneau said she couldn't have been happier.

"It was just a nice surprise. The timing is perfect," Amy Bonneau said. "It's like a Christmas gift to Jim."

The Officer James Bonneau Memorial Post Office is now one of two memorials in the city named in the 26-year-old officer's honor. In, September the city dedicated the bridge at West Avenue between Ganson Street and Wildwood Avenue to his memory, naming it the Officer James Bonneau Memorial Bridge.

Amy Bonneau said the Jackson community has remained incredibly supportive to the family in the years since her son's death.

"The people have been so warm and kind to us these past 5 years," she said. "Jackson has been so wonderful in memorializing him in different ways, and it makes our family feel really good to know that his life and his sacrifice (have) not been forgotten."

Officer James Bonneau was killed while entering the home of Elvin Potts, a 63-year-old man who lived on the 100 block of Mitchell Street. Potts shot at and killed Bonneau with a handgun, and another officer also was injured.

U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Tipton, introduced legislation to rename the federal building after the fallen officer. The bill passed through the House on July 14 and the Senate on Dec. 8.

"Officer Bonneau was described by those closest to him as loyal, genuine, and good-hearted," Walberg said Thursday in a statement. "The naming of the Officer Bonneau Memorial Post Office is a small step to remember his ultimate sacrifice and to affirm that we will never forget what he lived for - duty over self."

Amy Bonneau said Walberg has constantly shown his support and concern for the family. When Officer Bonneau was awarded the Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery in 2011, she said Walberg made the trip to the ceremony, which they've never forgotten.

"He went to all that trouble just to recognize him, and we've always been impressed with that," she said. "There was nothing in it for him, he just did it to honor Jim, and that means a lot to us."