Fallen Officer Honored with Highway Dedication

This story was reported and written by Tatum Ryan. 

Working together, the family of Sgt. Patrick O’Rourke pulled off the cover to unveil a new sign, which dedicates a portion of Old U.S. 23 to the fallen West Bloomfield police officer.

O’Rourke, a 1991 Hartland High School graduate, was killed in the line of duty in September, 2012 while responding to a domestic dispute in West Bloomfield. 

Surrounded by family and friends, Amy O’Rourke and her four children thanked the community for the “great honor.”

“Especially out here,” she said. “At home, where we drove up and down this road when we were dating, when we were married, we live right over there -- so it’s going to be a constant reminder of the love and support and I just can’t thank you enough. God bless all of you.”

State Rep. Cindy Denby began the dedication process with the assistance of Michael Craine, managing director of the Livingston County Road Commission, according to a press release and private funding for the sign was arranged by Denby and state Sen. Joe Hune.

"Sgt. O'Rourke was a dedicated officer and I am happy his legacy is being honored," said Denby, R-Fowlerville. "This sign will be a visual reminder to everyone who passes of his service as well as all the other law enforcement officers that put their lives on the line for us every day."

To watch the highway dedication, click here.