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Hundreds Gather At Candlelight Vigil For Fallen Officer

WEST BLOOMFIELD (WWJ) - Hundreds gathered for a candlelight vigil held Tuesday night for fallen West Bloomfield Township police officer Patrick O'Rourke.

A group of ecumenical leaders prayed for Patrick O'Rourke's family and those in mourning, while expressing appreciation for his sacrifice.

"A promise that Patrick's name and story will be told again and again in each generation in this community. He will not be forgotten; his sacrifice on the behalf of others, especially those of us in the community, that he worked to keep safe, will never be forgotten," said Reverend Mary Durkson with the Sylvan Lake Lutheran Church.

Southfield police officer Theresa Young worked with O'Rourke at W. Bloomfield for six years:

"He never had a harsh word, he was always very kind, very gentle to everyone he ever met. He was always very nice to me," she told Newsradio 950's Stephanie Davis.

O'Rourke, a father of four and a 12-year veteran of the department, is the first police officer in the community's history to be killed in the line of duty.

More on the story HERE.

More information on Officer O'Rourke's funeral arrangements HERE.

Oakland County Community Run canceled after death of O'Rourke.

 

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