Mid-Michigan Residents Gather to Remember Jackson Officer
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Updated: 3:43 AM Mar 12, 2010
Mid-Michigan Residents Gather to Remember Jackson Officer
Friends, colleagues, and even those who did not know Officer James Bonneau paid their respects Thursday in Canton.
Posted: 4:47 PM Mar 11, 2010
Reporter: Katie Kim
Email Address: katie.kim@wilx.com
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Friends, colleagues, and even those who did not know Officer James Bonneau paid their respects Thursday at the Griffin Funeral Home in Canton.

"It's just a very sad day," says fellow Jackson Police Sgt. Jennifer Carter. "We're all trying to cope with it. To have such a young man lose his life, he was a good officer, very well-respected."

Twenty-six year old Jackson Police Officer Jim Bonneau was fatally shot early Tuesday morning, after responding to a domestic dispute call. He served on the force just two and a half years.

"He has a long life ahead of him or had a long life ahead of him and now it's gone," says Jackson County Undersheriff Tom Finco.

Visitation was open to the public Thursday, and law enforcement around Mid-Michigan came to show their support.

"Any time an officer is killed, it's a traumatic event for all law enforcement," says Canton Director of Public Safety Pat Nemecek.

It's a loss that is all too familiar for the Canton Police Department.

"Our officer was killed in the line of duty 7 years ago and we learned during that time what support means," says Nemecek.

One couple from Warren tells us Bonneau's death is a painful reminder of the dangers an officer faces everyday.

"Even though we didn't know him, our son is an officer in Southfield and it just breaks our heart to know what they are going through," Bernadine Kraemer says.

"For the whole force, it just puts our job into perspective," Sgt. Carter says. "We know this can happen but when it happens to someone you know, it just makes you think again, you might not come home that night."

A sobering reminder for the Mid-Michigan community in the wake of Officer Jim Bonneau's death.


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