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Rockers, Restaurateurs Rally for O'Rourke Family Trust

Oakland County community continues benefit efforts in weeks since West Bloomfield Police Officer's death in line of duty.

 

Royal Oak Music Theatre will be rocking Oct. 2 with special purpose — to benefit the family of slain West Bloomfield Police Officer Patrick O'Rourke.

O'Rourke, 39, was fatally shot Sept. 9 while responding with other officers to what police believed could have been a suicidal man. The incident sparked a barricaded gunman standoff that ended when police found the suspect, Ricky Coley, 50, dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

O'Rourke was the department's first officer killed in the line of duty.

Birmingham-based classic rock radio station 94.7 WCSX-FM will broadcast live from the theatre next Tuesday as a host of Metro Detroit-area rock stars including Fifty Amp Fuse, Mitch Ryder and Stewart Francke perform, with proceeds to benefit a family trust established through Bank of America.

The venue will open up at 12 p.m. to take donations for those who can't make it to the event, but doors won't open until 7 p.m. Admission to the concert will be $10.

Restaurants organizing benefit next week

Organizers of a restaurant benefit Oct. 3 hope to raise $100,000 to benefit the family trust, by donating 25 percent of sales that day.

"I knew immediately that my staff and I would do whatever we could to help the O'Rourke family, and I also knew that the community would feel the same. Reaching out to other chefs to join in the effort was a no-brainer," said chef Matt Prentice, owner of Morels and Detroit Prime in Farmington Hills, who spearheaded the effort.

The following area restaurants are currently scheduled to participate in the Tables for 4 benefit:

Other ways you can help

  • White Palace Mediterranean of West Bloomfield pledged to donate 20 percent of sales all day Friday. The restaurant is open 11 a.m.-12 midnight.
  • Alexandria Mediterranean Cuisine at 43155 Main St. in Novi, pledged to donate 10 percent of sales all day Oct. 5. The restaurant is open from 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
  • The Fenton Police Department is working with the Knights of Columbus to benefit the family trust. Fenton Police Chief Rick Aro said donations are being accepted at the Fenton police station for O'Rourke's widow, Amy, and four children, who live in Fenton. The Fenton police will give any donations, in the form of checks or money orders, to the O'Rourke family.
  • The Bloomfield Township Police Department is offering silicone bracelets for sale "to show your solidarity with the law enforcement community" and the family trust. The cost of the $4 bracelet will go to benefit the family trust.
  • Robert Vargo and Jim Gall of Vargo Golf Company will donate 50 percent of all golf proceeds Oct. 1 to benefit the family trust. The golf courses included are Rackham golf course of Huntington Woods, Rouge Park golf course of Detroit, Chandler Park golf course of Detroit, Palmer Park golf course of Detroit, Myth golf course of Oakland Township, Bruce Hills golf course of Romeo and Hampton golf club of Rochester Hills.
  • The Rochester Police Department is partnering with Ponds & Beyond Landscaping to sponsor a carnival and garden walk at Long Meadow Elementary School in Rochester Hills ($10 admission). The proceeds from the event Oct. 6 between 11 a.m.-4 p.m. — featuring pumpkin-decorating, clowns, face-painting, a pie-eating contest and more — will benefit the family trust. 

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    Related Topics: Bloomfield Township Police Department, Patrick O'Rourke, and west bloomfield police

    jeff sakwa

    6:36 am on Thursday, September 27, 2012

    WOW! What a great community we live in. His beautiful will never get him back, but at least there will not be any financial problems for them to deal with. Amy O'Rourke class, dignity, courage, was felt by so many. Faith is on her side and I am positive that people will always surround her with love. It is a small consilation for Officer O'Rourke's ultimate sacrifice. We still must pray for the officers that were with him on the call that day to heal as well. They did not lose their life but lost a comrade and will emotional scars for the rest of their life. GOD BLESS!

    Reply

    Laura Nicholson

    9:22 am on Thursday, September 27, 2012

    Vargo Golf Company is so excited to help! Monday looks like perfect weather for golf!
    We have decided to offer the use of cart #55 in honor of Officer Patrick O'Rourke's badge number at all locations for $1000 fee to go straight to Amy and her family. If you own a business, and would like to golf and sponsor with cart #55 on Monday, please call Laura directly to reserve cart #55 at your preferred course location with a check! Thank you :) Laura 586-651-2781

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