Local Police Officer Honored for Actions During Oswego Accident

An Aurora Police Department officer was recently honored for his actions last summer in a car accident that took place in Oswego.

Vetearn officer Matthew Bonnie saved the life of a man after pulling him out of a burning vehicle and the actions caught the attention of state and county law enforcement officials, according to an Aurora Police Department release.

On June 8, 2012, Bonnie came across a single-vehicle crash on Minkler Road in Oswego. The vehicle had run off the roadway, struck a ditch, rolled over and caught fire.

Several passerby attempted to remove the man through the front doors of the vehicle, but were unable to do so.

Bonnie, off-duty at the time, rescued the man by pulling him through a rear door.

“Officer Bonnie’s actions epitomize bravery and heroism,” said Chief of Police Greg Thomas. “What makes them more remarkable is the fact that Matt told no one of this incident. We only learned about them both through a third party and by the man who was rescued when he called the police department to thank Officer Bonnie for saving his life.”

Bonnie received the Illinois Law Enforcement Medal of Honor and the Louis Spuhler Award which is given to the Kane County Police Officer of the Year.

The Louis Spuhler award is given to officers for acts of valor, exceptional courage, humanitarian efforts, outstanding examples of good law enforcement both while on-duty and off, and the continuing education and achievements of individual police officers.

 Bonnie began his Aurora Police career as a cadet in 2002 and was sworn in as an officer in 2004. He is currently assigned as a Community Oriented Policing officer.