Gov. Patrick signs bill honoring slain MIT officer

BOSTON (AP) - Gov. Deval Patrick has ceremonially signed a bill paving the way for an MIT police officer believed to have been killed by the Boston Marathon bombing suspects to be posthumously appointed to the Somerville Police Department.

Members of Sean Collier's family joined Somerville officials and lawmakers for the event in the governor's office on Friday. The governor signed the bill privately last month after it was approved by the Legislature.

Collier was fatally shot April 18 while sitting in his police cruiser. Authorities say he was attacked by the two brothers suspected in the deadly April 15 marathon bombing.

Before Collier's death, he had been offered a job with the Somerville police. His family says he had been looking forward to joining the force.

Collier was from Wilmington and went to Salem State University.

Cox Media Group