WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. House of Representatives on Monday agreed to rename Grand River’s post office after Andrew “Ace” Nowacki, a Grand River police officer and U.S. Marine Corps lance corporal who was killed in Iraq by a roadside bomb in 2005.

A graduate of Lyndhurst’s Brush High School who resided in South Euclid, Nowacki was working as a the gunner on a Humvee, protecting a truck convoy in the Anbar region, south of Baghdad, when he died at age 24. His family set up a memorial scholarship fund in his name to assist public safety and nursing students. Nowacki joined the Grand River Police Department in 2001, and was part of its ready response team, honor guard and bike patrol.

“Andy’s commitment to community, dedication to service and desire to help others is something we should forever honor, and his sacrifice is something we should never forget,” said Bainbridge Township Republican Rep. Dave Joyce, who introduced the measure for the name change. The House of Representatives passed his bill on a noncontroversial voice vote.

“By renaming the Grand River Post Office after him, we can help ensure Andy will forever be remembered by the community he cared so deeply for and contributed so much to," Joyce continued. "I thank my colleagues here in the House for helping me preserve the legacy of a true American patriot and urge my colleagues in the Senate to do the same.”

You can read the full article online here.