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.
Tuesday, September 11 2012 8:29 PM EDT2012-09-12 00:29:49 GMT
West Bloomfield Police Officer Patrick O'Rourke was killed Sunday night while responding to a domestic call. Tuesday, police officials talked about the fallen officer and the standoff with the suspect.
West Bloomfield Police Officer Patrick O'Rourke was killed Sunday night while responding to a domestic call. Tuesday, police officials talked about the fallen officer and the standoff with the suspect.
Tuesday, September 11 2012 7:30 PM EDT2012-09-11 23:30:09 GMT
Autopsy results confirm the man accused of killing West Bloomfield Officer Patrick O'Rourke committed suicide. Fox 2 also spoke with the excavator who tore down part of the house during the standoff.
Autopsy results confirm Ricky Coley, the man accused of killing West Bloomfield Officer Patrick O'Rourke, committed suicide. Fox 2 also spoke with the excavator who tore down part of the house during the standoff with police.
Tuesday, September 11 2012 1:56 PM EDT2012-09-11 17:56:07 GMT
A special tribute will be held Tuesday to honor the West Bloomfield police officer killed in the line of duty by a barricaded gunman. Officer Patrick O'Rourke, 39, was killed Sunday night.
A special tribute will be held Tuesday to honor the West Bloomfield police officer killed in the line of duty by a barricaded gunman. Officer Patrick O'Rourke, 39, was killed when bullets were fired through the door of a home on Sunday night.
Monday, September 10 2012 11:15 PM EDT2012-09-11 03:15:44 GMT
Amy O'Rourke found the courage Monday to speak with Fox 2 briefly. Holding her youngest son, she wanted to share her gratitude to the community for lifting her up in these dark hours.
Amy O'Rourke found the courage Monday to speak with Fox 2 briefly. Holding her youngest son, she wanted to share her gratitude to the community for lifting her up in these dark hours.
Monday, September 10 2012 10:47 PM EDT2012-09-11 02:47:28 GMT
A nearly 20 hour police standoff with a suspected cop killer finally ended Monday in West Bloomfield after a wall of a house was torn down. Police discovered the suspect died from a gunshot wound.
A nearly 20 hour police standoff with a suspected cop killer finally ended Monday in West Bloomfield after a wall of a house was torn down. Police discovered the suspect died from a gunshot wound.
BROWNSTOWN TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WJBK) -
Efforts are already underway to help the family of Officer Patrick O'Rourke. The volunteer group MI-C.O.P.S. will offer support for the family and the police department.
"I just know it's going to be a really rough road. It's always a rough road," said Diane Philpot.
She knows because she's been there and will never forget. Back in 1995, her husband, Jerry, a Detroit police officer, was shot and killed in the line of duty in a gang related incident. He was just 28 and they had a six-month-old baby at the time.
"Personally for me, that was the biggest thing that somebody could've told me was that they went through it and, gosh, they're still alive. They made it, so it gave me a little bit of hope."
For the last 15 years, Philpot has helped give other grieving families hope as a volunteer and a board member with MI-C.O.P.S. The organization offers comfort and support for families and police departments. They've already been in touch with West Bloomfield Township Police and the family of Officer O'Rourke.
The statistics are alarming and hard to comprehend, but Philpot said every 52 hours a police officer is killed in this country. That's about 160 officers a year.
"Stuff like this happens all the time. It's just going to keep happening as long as there's bad guys because we send our loved ones in to help."
Officer O'Rourke leaves behind a wife and four young children and a devastated department and community. He's the first officer to die in the line of duty in West Bloomfield Township and the first in the state this year.
So how can the public help?
"What you can do is just be kind to the department, be kind to the family and put up lots of prayers because you can't fix it. You can just try and make their life a little easier, but we can't fix it, and that's the sad part of it. So, just be supportive because that's what they need."
For more information about MI-C.O.P.S., visit www.micops.org.
Monday, May 20 2013 5:51 PM EDT2013-05-20 21:51:26 GMT
A church community in Canton is reeling over the death of a young man. He was just married on Saturday and less than 24 hours later killed in a car crash on the way to the couple's honeymoon. His bride survived.
A church community in Canton is reeling over the death of a young man. He was just married on Saturday and less than 24 hours later killed in a car crash on the way to the couple's honeymoon. His bride survived.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 9:22 PM EDT2013-05-16 01:22:48 GMT
A Detroit-based startup is taking off and installing green energy systems across the globe. They are taking a unique approach using a network of expert "freelancers."
A Detroit-based startup is taking off and installing green energy systems across the globe. They are taking a unique approach using a network of expert "freelancers."
Monday, May 13 2013 6:19 PM EDT2013-05-13 22:19:48 GMT
A suspect is in custody after a bomb scare at Westland City Hall. We're told a man held a worker hostage as SWAT teams surrounded a building on Ford Road. Nobody was hurt.
A suspect is in custody after a bomb scare at Westland City Hall. We're told a man held a worker hostage as SWAT teams surrounded a building on Ford Road. Nobody was hurt.
Saturday, May 11 2013 9:28 PM EDT2013-05-12 01:28:26 GMT
Detroit Mayor Dave Bing was among dozens of volunteers who came out to clean up various neighborhoods Saturday. It was all part of Motor City makeover, now in it's second weekend.
Detroit Mayor Dave Bing was among dozens of volunteers who came out to clean up various neighborhoods Saturday. It was all part of Motor City makeover, now in it's second weekend.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 7:38 AM EDT2013-05-22 11:38:56 GMT
A memorial service is this weekend for a newly married Detroit-area youth minister who was killed in a traffic accident as he and his wife were en route to their honeymoon in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
A memorial service is this weekend for a newly married Detroit-area youth minister who was killed in a traffic accident as he and his wife were en route to their honeymoon in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 2:28 AM EDT2013-05-22 06:28:15 GMT
More than 2,000 people were in attendance to hear Donald Trump speak at Oakland County's Lincoln Day Dinner. Before the event, he told reporters he believes Detroit is "on the right path."
More than 2,000 people were in attendance to hear Donald Trump speak at Oakland County's Lincoln Day Dinner. Before the event, he told reporters he believes Detroit is "on the right path."
Wednesday, May 22 2013 2:17 AM EDT2013-05-22 06:17:02 GMT
Find out how you can help the victims of Monday's deadly tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing two dozen and flattening neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
Find out how you can help the victims of Monday's deadly tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing two dozen and flattening neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:02 AM EDT2013-05-22 04:02:09 GMT
Detroit police believe a man in a surveillance photo is responsible for a kidnapping, carjacking, sexual assault and armed robbery on the city's east side.
Detroit police believe a man in a surveillance photo is responsible for a kidnapping, carjacking, sexual assault and armed robbery on the city's east side.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:59 PM EDT2013-05-22 02:59:19 GMT
Some Detroiters say their neighbor is hoarding dogs. She has been accused of doing it before. In 2011, 25 dogs were removed from her home, but we're told a case was never brought.
Some Detroiters say their neighbor is hoarding dogs. She has been accused of doing it before. In 2011, 25 dogs were removed from her home, but we're told a case was never brought.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:14 PM EDT2013-05-22 02:14:08 GMT
Innuendo, sexual advances and an overnight stay in Lansing -- a politician's former aide claims he had to endure a nightmare on the job. Now a sexual harassment lawsuit has been filed against Rep. Brian Banks.
Innuendo, sexual advances and an overnight stay in Lansing -- a politician's former aide claims he had to endure a nightmare on the job. Now a sexual harassment lawsuit has been filed against Rep. Brian Banks.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 8:22 PM EDT2013-05-22 00:22:30 GMT
An expansive plan to merge two southeastern Michigan health systems into a single, $6.4 billion nonprofit organization with 10 hospitals has fizzled out.
An expansive plan to merge two southeastern Michigan health systems into a single, $6.4 billion nonprofit organization with 10 hospitals has fizzled out.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 8:17 PM EDT2013-05-22 00:17:22 GMT
We are learning more about the past of the man currently in police custody in connection with the murder of 35-year-old Sabrina Gianino.
We are learning more about the past of the man currently in police custody in connection with the murder of 35-year-old Sabrina Gianino. 42-year-old Myron Williams is on probation in Michigan for a drug paraphernalia charge. He also has quite a past in Louisiana.
