Today U.S. Representative Tom Emmer joined Cold Spring Police Chief Chris Boucher, U.S. Postal Service District Manager Tony Williams and others in a dedication ceremony to rename the Cold Spring Post Office in honor of slain police officer Tommy Decker.

The ceremony was highlighted by the words of Tommy Decker’s younger brother Joe, a Cold Spring Post Office employee. Joe Decker told the approximately 150 family, friends and community members in attendance of his brother’s humanity, his willingness to assist others and his love of his community, calling working for the Cold Spring Police Department “his dream job.”

“This is a great honor for this office to be changed,” he said. “That I’m working here makes it even more special.”

The change came about as a result of legislation sponsored by U.S. Representative Michele Bachmann. With the unanimous support of the entire Minnesota congressional delegation, the legislation passed both houses and was signed into law by President Obama on Dec. 16, 2014.

Tommy Decker, a 6-year veteran of the Cold Spring Police Department, was killed in the line of duty as he and his partner were conducting a welfare check.

For police officers “there is no such thing as routine or mundane,” Williams said. “They put their lives on the line when they got work each day. They do so out of a keenly developed sense of faith, honor and duty. So we gather today to honor Police Officer Tommy Decker, who embodied what sacrifice for his fellow Americans is all about.” 

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