Eleven years after Epsom police officer Jeremy Charron died in the line of duty, he was honored Tuesday, March 18, when the Hillsborough Post Office was officially named the Officer Jeremy Todd Charron Post Office.

“The town of Hillsborough has produced many fine individuals, but none finer than Jeremy Todd Charron,” said Paul Haley, chairman of the Hillsborough Board of Selectmen. “He is a true American hero.”

Charron was 24 years old and an officer with the Epsom Police Department when he responded to a report of suspicious car in the early morning of Aug. 24, 1997. The driver shot and killed Charron, injuring him in a spot unprotected by his bullet- resistant vest.

The renaming had special meaning for Jeremy’s mother, Fran.

“It’s his birthday today. He would have been 35,” said Fran Charron. Her eyes filled with tears. “This means the world to me,” she said.

Haley said requests from residents prompted his board to ask U.S. senators John Sununu and Judd Gregg to co-sponsor legislation to name the post office after Charron. President Bush signed the bill into law on Dec. 26.

“Though there is no way to repay his ultimate sacrifice, this dedication is a way for the Granite State community to show our appreciation and recognize his important and unfailing commitment to making our neighborhoods and our state a safer place for families,” said Sununu.

Fran Charron said she runs errands to the post office at 11 Central St. six days a week.

Her son Jeremy dedicated his life to public service, first as U.S. Marine and later as a police officer. He attended Hillsborough schools, graduating from Hillsboro-Deering High School in 1992. He then served four years in the Marines.

The U.S. Marine Drum and Bugle Corps played at the event, bringing the crowd to its feet with a rendition of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.”

Bob Charron, Jeremy’s father, told the crowd he wants people to remember more than just his son.

“As we enter the (post office) building, let’s not just remember Jeremy, but tens of thousands of others Americans who have given their lives for their country,” said Bob Charron.

Mary Lou Kulbacki remembered Charron as outgoing, spontaneous and trustworthy. Kulbacki was the secretary at Hillsboro-Deering High when Charron was class president. Charron’s best friend growing up was Keith Kurowski. The two met in Miss Otterson’s second- grade class.

More than a decade after his friend’s death, Kurowski said what he misses most is hanging out with his best friend and knowing what each other was thinking without having to say it.