Clayton's Sweet 16th

By BRIAN WALKER

Staff Writer

COEUR d'ALENE — Clayton Bonsell thought he was going fishing on Friday when his father, Roger, took a detour to McEuen Park for a surprise 16th birthday celebration instead.

Bonsell, who has physical and mental disabilities, certainly didn't mind the change of direction.

Awaiting him at the park to celebrate were about 40 people, the vast majority of whom he didn’t know. Also there: about 20 emergency responders from various agencies.

"He doesn't really have any friends so this is wonderful," said Melissa Bonsell, Clayton's mother.

Clayton's favorite people are police and firefighters.

"He loves cops, firefighters and anything with a siren," Roger said.

So when Clayton sat on a Post Falls police motorcycle, hopped on a Coeur d'Alene fire engine and chit-chatted with attendees, he was in his glory.

"My dad has a motorcycle, too," he told Post Falls Police Officer Aaron Ogle while sitting on a motorcycle.

When Clayton got off, he kindly thanked Ogle for the opportunity.

The teen proudly donned his new Northern Lakes Fire Department helmet birthday gift for photo ops.

"He's a people person," Melissa said as Clayton made his way around to his well-wishers. "This makes his day. He's never met a stranger. To him, strangers are friends he has not met."

Melissa's call to the community on Sunday to come celebrate Clayton's birthday lit up social media and police and firefighter emails. Responders were happy to spend their lunch break on Clayton's special occasion.

"We may not know him, but we care," Northern Lakes Fire District Chief Pat Riley said. "We're happy to be his friends on his special day."

Hayden's Mike and Sue Delles said they read in a column in The Press that the community was invited to Clayton's big day so they didn't want to miss the opportunity.

"We just thought it would be a great way to spend the day and expend some kindness," Mike said.

Coeur d'Alene's Claudia Sanchez said the birthday surprise for Clayton is what community is all about.

"It's really cool that we can come together like this," she said. "You don't have to know him to make his day special."

Clayton compared the tools in the SWAT vest he wore to the party to those Coeur d’Alene Police Officer Crystal Shaw had on her uniform.

“I’m prepared,” he told Shaw. “I have a special flashlight. Mine even works and doesn’t take batteries.”

Shaw joked to Clayton that she tried to get a Taser stun gun for his birthday, but to no avail.

“That’s OK,” Clayton replied matter-of-factly. “My handcuffs are good enough.”