There was a solemn tribute Friday to a man who died trying to serve and protect. Family, friends and those who never even knew West Bloomfield Officer Patrick O'Rourke came out to the funeral to show their respect.
There was a solemn tribute Friday to a man who died trying to serve and protect. Family, friends and those who never even knew West Bloomfield Police Officer Patrick O'Rourke came out to the funeral to show their respect.
FENTON, Mich. (myFOXDetroit.com) -
There was a solemn tribute Friday to a man who died trying to serve and protect. Family, friends and those who never even knew West Bloomfield Police Officer Patrick O'Rourke came out to the funeral to show their respect.
Sarah Samborski understands. She lost her husband, an Oak Park officer, back in 2008.
"Everyone's journey is a little bit different, and there's going to be so many ups and downs. You really just have to take it day by day."
Mourners packed St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Fenton to say good-bye to the twelve year veteran of the force. O'Rourke was the first West Bloomfield police officer ever to be killed on duty.
At the service, O'Rourke was described as a tender, strong and courageous man.
Officer O'Rourke spent his final moments on Sunday night warning neighbors. He was trying to help what he believed to be a suicidal man when that man allegedly opened fire on him through a door. The deadly shooting led to a 20 hour standoff with the suspect, Ricky Coley, eventually turning the gun on himself.
O'Rourke was a hero in life and now in death. His memory is forever with those who loved and lost him, those who will never forget.
Officer Patrick O'Rourke was 39.
An education, health and welfare fund has been setup for the family of Officer O'Rourke. You can make a donation at any Bank of America branch. There is now also a website that has now been created. It's www.WestBloomfieldHero.com.
You can leave your written and audio condolences to the O'Rourke family by logging on to the Elton Black & Son Funeral Home.
Attorney Norman Yatooma's foundation also set up a fund for the families of O'Rourke and Coley. Remember Coley also left behind a young son. You can donate online at www.ForTheKidsFoundation.org or you can send a donation to Yatooma's Foundation for the Kids, 1900 South Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48302.
The Royal Duchess Boutique in West Bloomfield will also be donating proceeds from sales this coming Monday to O'Rourke's wife and children. The store is located at 4301 Orchard Lake Road in West Bloomfield.
West Bloomfield Twp. officer killed in the line of dutyMore>>
Friday, September 14 2012 9:33 PM EDT2012-09-15 01:33:34 GMT
There was a solemn tribute Friday to a man who died trying to serve and protect. Family, friends and those who never even knew West Bloomfield Officer Patrick O'Rourke came out to the funeral to show their respect.
There was a solemn tribute Friday to a man who died trying to serve and protect. Family, friends and those who never even knew West Bloomfield Police Officer Patrick O'Rourke came out to the funeral to show their respect.
Friday, September 14 2012 10:25 AM EDT2012-09-14 14:25:24 GMT
The wife of a slain Oak Park police officer was on hand Friday to show support to the family of Patrick O'Rourke, a West Bloomfield Twp. officer who was fatally shot Sunday night.
The wife of a slain Oak Park police officer was on hand Friday to show support to the family of Patrick O'Rourke, a West Bloomfield Twp. officer who was fatally shot Sunday night.
Wednesday, September 12 2012 1:22 PM EDT2012-09-12 17:22:01 GMT
Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder has ordered U.S. flags be lowered to half-staff in honor of slain West Bloomfield Township police Officer Pat O'Rourke.
Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder has ordered U.S. flags within the Capitol complex in Lansing and at state buildings and facilities across the state be lowered to half-staff in honor of slain West Bloomfield Township police Officer Pat O'Rourke.
Tuesday, September 11 2012 11:30 PM EDT2012-09-12 03:30:58 GMT
It was a somber service for a hero in blue. Tuesday night, West Bloomfield honored the life of fallen police officer Patrick O'Rourke, the township's first killed in the line of duty.
It was a somber service for a hero in blue. Tuesday night, West Bloomfield honored the life of fallen police officer Patrick O'Rourke, the township's first killed in the line of duty.
Sunday, March 17 2013 9:05 PM EDT2013-03-18 01:05:08 GMT
A 16 year-old young man from Romulus is sore, swollen and recovering from a dislocated jaw. An amateur video shows he was brutally beaten outside a local 7-Eleven, and his family needs help tracking down
A 16 year-old young man from Romulus is sore, swollen and recovering from a dislocated jaw. An amateur video shows he was brutally beaten outside a local 7-Eleven.
Sunday, March 10 2013 10:20 PM EDT2013-03-11 02:20:14 GMT
A simple fall from a DDOT bus at Livernois and 7 Mile meant an unexpected trip to the hospital and an unexpected friend when a 13-year old boy needed one the most.
A simple fall from a DDOT bus at Livernois and 7 Mile meant an unexpected trip to the hospital and an unexpected friend when a 13-year old boy needed one the most.
Friday, May 17 2013 11:55 PM EDT2013-05-18 03:55:04 GMT
"We intend to build cars in North America for [the] North American market, build cars in Europe for the European market and build them in Asia for the Asian market," said Don Graunstadt.
"We intend to build cars in North America for [the] North American market, build cars in Europe for the European market and build them in Asia for the Asian market," said the CEO of North American Operations for the electric car company.
Friday, May 17 2013 10:19 PM EDT2013-05-18 02:19:58 GMT
It can creep up on you without you realizing it. One day you step on the scale and you're obese. That's what happened to a St. Clair Shores woman who never though she would lose the weight.
It can creep up on you without you realizing it. One day you step on the scale and you're obese. That's what happened to a St. Clair Shores woman who never though she would lose the weight.
Friday, May 17 2013 8:43 PM EDT2013-05-18 00:43:34 GMT
Sabrina Gianino was found dead with a cord around her neck inside a Grosse Pointe Park home early Thursday morning. The medical examiner has ruled her death a homicide.
Sabrina Gianino was found dead with a cord around her neck inside a Grosse Pointe Park home early Thursday morning. The medical examiner has ruled her death a homicide.
Friday, May 17 2013 7:48 PM EDT2013-05-17 23:48:59 GMT
A Molotov cocktail was thrown through a kitchen window of a waterfront mansion on Whittier Street in Grosse Pointe Park around 3:20 a.m. Friday. Fortunately, someone inside put it out.
A Molotov cocktail was thrown through a kitchen window of a waterfront mansion on Whittier Street in Grosse Pointe Park around 3:20 a.m. Friday. Fortunately, someone inside put it out.
Friday, May 17 2013 6:26 PM EDT2013-05-17 22:26:25 GMT
Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan urged Detroit's pastors and majority black population Friday to join him in an effort to buy neglected properties and take other steps to help revitalize the struggling city.
Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan urged Detroit's pastors and majority black population Friday to join him in an effort to buy neglected properties and take other steps to help revitalize the struggling city where the movement started more than 80 years ago.
Amy O'Rourke holds her eight-month-old son while thanking everyone for their support during Friday's funeral Mass for her husband Patrick.
Hundreds gather for a funeral Mass inside St. John the Evangelist church in Fenton.
Amy O'Rourke, wife of fallen officer Patrick O'Rourke arrives at a Fenton church Friday morning. (Amy Andrews)
The body of fallen officer Patrick O'Rourke arrives at a Fenton church Friday morning.
