COEUR d'ALENE — Those two simple, down-home words of expression — thank you — still have a powerful way of bringing folks together.

After 9-year-old James Hamby saw an Idaho State Police officer drive past him a month ago, he decided to act on his intuition of writing ISP officers a letter of thanks for their service.

"They sure do a lot to help everyone," the third-grader at North Idaho STEM Charter Academy said.

James taped the money he had — a dollar bill — to his hand-written letter as a token of his appreciation toward police.

"I just thought that they'd really like the support," he said.

The letter touched Trooper Cody Herman and others at ISP, so Herman invited James for a tour of ISP's District 1 operations and a ride in his patrol car.

"I really enjoyed everything," James said. "It makes me want to become a police officer."

Herman provided James with the grand tour that included the dispatch center, crime lab and area where officers work.

"The letter brought many smiles, so we thought it would be a fun opportunity to invite James here in return," Herman said.

During the ridealong at ISP, Herman made a staged traffic stop involving another ISP employee so James could get a feel for what it's like.

"He came with me when I got out of the car to speak with the driver," Herman said. "At the end, I asked James, 'So what do you think? A ticket or a warning?' He said, 'Oh, we'd better give her a warning.'"

Herman said police occasionally receive expressions of thanks from the public, but this one was especially touching since it came directly from a youngster.

"In speaking with his great-grandmother, they were just driving down the road and, when he saw an ISP car, he decided to write on his own," Herman said. "I thought that it was cool that it all came from him."

ISP personnel returned the thanks by also providing James with souvenirs and reaching into their wallets to pool together a nice monetary gift for him.

"James and Trooper Cody just really connected," said Linda Jordan, James' great grandmother who lives in Coeur d'Alene and takes care of James with husband Mike. "It was amazing. James was truly given VIP treatment."

Jordan said she was "totally overwhelmed" by ISP's response to James' letter.

"They went above and beyond for that little 9-year-old boy," she said. "We are still in awe that they would take so much time for a boy just because he sent them a letter of appreciation. This shows the personal side of police, which a lot of people don't get to see. This was an experience James will never forget."

Linda said this will be a holiday season with James that she won't forget, either.

The Jordans have legal guardianship of James and they'll be going to court on Dec. 12, Linda's 70th birthday, to adopt him.

"He is such a special boy," Linda said. "We're grateful for the opportunity to help him build morals and values. We have such a limited time with young people these days."

James said he's looking forward to the days ahead.

"I'm thankful for having a family," he said. "They pretty much spoil me all the time."

Linda said she's thankful for folks such as the ISP officers who show an interest in young people's lives.

"This is what Thanksgiving is all about," she said.