Sgt. Patrick J. O’Rourke memorial (by the Criminal Justice Student Association)

On September 9, 2012, Police Officer Patrick J. O’Rourke of the West Bloomfield Township Police Department, age 39, was shot and killed while making entry into a home after responding to a domestic dispute and reports of shots fired inside the house.

He and four other officers had responded to the initial call shortly after 10:00pm. Several family members who had been in the home had exited it prior to the arrival of the officers and informed them the man inside may have committed suicide. The officers entered the home and made their way to the bedroom. Before entering the bedroom, they called out the subject’s name, but were met with gunfire through the bedroom door and walls. Officer O’Rourke was struck by the gunfire and was critically wounded. He was transported to McLaren Hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds.

Officer O’Rourke had served the West Bloomfield Police Department for 12 years, and was posthumously promoted to the rank of Sergeant. His wife, four children, parents, three brothers, and grandfather survived him.

In 1999, Patrick graduated from Oakland Community College with a degree in Criminal Justice specializing in Law Enforcement. The Criminal Justice Student Association in grateful appreciation for Sergeant O’Rourke’s supreme sacrifice has and will continue to collect donations to fund this scholarship. It is their hope that this scholarship will financially assist Criminal Justice students and perpetuate Patrick’s memory for the benefit of his family, friends and his brothers and sisters in Police service.