West Bloomfield

Vigil honors fallen WB officer

Click for photos from the vigil.

The community gathered for a tearful remberence of West Bloomfield police officer Patrick O’Rourke Sept. 11 in front of the Police Department building.

O’Rourke was killed responding to a shot fired on Forest Edge Sept. 9. It was the first police fatality in the township's history, according to Township Supervisor Michele Economou Ureste, who called the ensuing standoff with barricaded gunman Ricky Coley “the longest standoff we’ve had in West Bloomfield.”

The standoff ended when Coley was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound inside the home.

O’Rourke’s visitation times were scheduled for 2-8 p.m. Sept. 12-13 at the Elton Black and Son Funeral Home, 3295 E. Highland Road, in Highland. A rosary service was scheduled at the same location at 5 p.m. Sept. 13.

The funeral Mass was scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Sept. 14 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 600 N. Adelaide St. in Fenton. The burial was scheduled at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Cemetery at 11:30 a.m.

The township has announced an Officer Patrick O’Rourke Family Trust Fund to collect donations for O’Rourke’s family. According to township officials, Bank of America locations and West Bloomfield Township facilities will accept funds.

To learn more about the memorial trust fund, call the township at (248) 451-4800.