Metro Detroit Restaurants Band Together For Slain Officer Benefit
FARMINGTON HILLS (CBS Detroit) At least five local restaurants are joining forces to benefit a much-respected local police officer who was killed in the line of duty earlier this month, leaving behind a wife and four small children.
The Tables For Four event is happening Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2012 t o benefit fallen West Bloomfield officer Patrick O'Rourke, 39, who was shot to death by while responding to a domestic call by Ricky Coley, who later killed himself after a long standoff with police.
An outpouring of grief and support followed the tragedy, and now Tables For Four is inviting the public to dine out for lunch or dinner at participating restaurants October 3, when they will donate 25 percent of their day's proceeds to O'Rourke's family.
Chef Matthew Prentice is spearheading the effort after meeting with officials from the West Bloomfield Police Department who asked for his assistance with their efforts to support O'Rourke's family.
"I've lived in West Bloomfield most of my life," Prentice said. "I agreed to donate our restaurant for a night, and as I thought about it, I thought 'This is probably going to get a lot of PR, and if we're jammed open to close we'll do maybe $25,000 to $30,000 in sales and that's only going to provide $7,000.'
"I'm a father of four and I realized 7 grand wasn't going to go very far ... At the second meeting we had, I said 'This has to be bigger than this.' I called a couple of colleagues ... and they agreed to get on board."
His first call was to chef Luciano del Signore, owner of Bacco Ristorante, who immediately agreed to help. Restaurants are still being asked to join -- The list of participants will be continually updated on Prentice's website HERE -- with the chef hoping the list grows to include 25 restaurants in all.
O'Rourke, 39, of Fenton, was the first officer killed on duty in the history of the West Bloomfield Police Department. He's survived by his wife, Amy and their four children: Eileen, Mary, Andrea and Stephen, who range in age from 8 months to 10 years.
West Bloomfield Police Chief Michael Patton supports the restaurant effort.
"Pat was a good friend and a co-worker to everyone here. He had the trust and respect of everyone in the organization. His loss is tremendous to us; it will be felt for a long time. Our efforts now are focused on helping his family," said Patton. "The greater West Bloomfield community is a wonderful place to work and live, and I am not surprised by the outpouring of support and interest in helping Pat's family. It is all greatly appreciated. We can show to others how we can rally together and support each other. We appreciate all the efforts to help his family."
Donations can be made to the Officer Patrick O'Rourke Family Trust at any Bank of America branch or online HERE.
Current restaurants participating:
- Bacco Ristorante, 29410 Northwestern Highway, Southfield; 248-356-6600
- Joe Vicari's Andiamo Italian Steakhouse, 6676 Telegraph Rd., Bloomfield Twp.; 248- 865-9300
- Detroit Prime, 32769 Northwestern Highway, Farmington Hills; 248-737-9600
- Assaggi Bistro, 330 W. Nine Mile, Ferndale; 248-584-3499
- The Hill, 123 Kercheval Ave., Grosse Pointe Farms; 313-886-8101
- Morels, 32729 Northwestern Highway, Farmington Hills; 248-254-3840
- Yoz Yogurt, 33360W. 14 Mile Rd., West Bloomfield; 248-626-9938
- Yoz Yogurt, 4301 Orchard Lake Rd., West Bloomfield; 248-865-8341
For more information about the restaurant fundraiser or to join the effort, click HERE.
