Fallen West Bloomfield Officer's Name Added to D.C. Memorial Wall

Thanks to generous donations from the community, the West Bloomfield Police Department Honor Guard will travel to Washington, D.C. next month to participate in ceremonies for WBPD Sergeant Patrick O'Rourke and other fallen officers.

According to a department press release, the group leaves May 12 to participate in National Police Week activities, which will include the addition of O’Rourke's name to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. The 12-year veteran was killed in the line of duty on Sept. 9, 2012, by a man who barricaded himself in a West Bloomfield home and later died. 

O'Rourke's name will be added to a list of more than 19,000 officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice. 

Among other activities, the Honor Guard will visit Arlington National Cemetery to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  The release indicated taht officers requested this detail "to show the respect and honor deserved of our men and women who have, and who continue to serve and protect our country."

They will also participate in the 25th Annual Candlelight Vigil, which honors all of America’s fallen law enforcement heroes and will present Michigan's state flag during the Standing Watch for the Fallen ceremony. The 32nd Annual National Police Officer’s Memorial Day services will be held at the U.S. Capitol on May 15, followed by a Wreath Vigil.

The Honor Guard will be accompanied by Sergeant O’Rourke’s family and friends, as well as several members of the department. Everyone will have an opportunity to attend conferences and seminars sponsored by the National Concerns of Police Survivors that are designed to assist the families and co-workers dealing with the loss of a fallen officer.

"The West Bloomfield Police Department would like to thank the numerous citizens and businesses that provided donations to make the trip to Washington, DC possible," the release concluded. "The generosity and support from the residents of West Bloomfield and the surrounding communities has been incredible, humbling, and very much appreciated."