Charity hockey game held for fallen officer's family

By Andrea Isom
Fox 2 News

PLYMOUTH, Mich. (WJBK) -- This is the first Christmas that the family of Officer Patrick O'Rourke will have without their beloved father and husband.  The West Bloomfield police officer was killed in the line of duty a few months ago.  Friday night, the community came together to help the family through this very tough time.

"I remember watching the news and saw about it and then you hear about the family and the kids and just breaks your heart," said Red Wing alum Kris Draper.

"It always takes a tragedy to get things going unfortunately in today's life, and guys that are keeping us safe, that we don't have to look over our shoulder every morning getting up and leaving the house, that's why we're here," said Red Wing alum Jiri Fischer.

Hearts were heavy when Officer O'Rourke was killed this past summer and still are today, but no one is hurting more than his loved ones, his family, his wonderful wife Amy and their four beautiful kids.

"Hockey's kind of what we know, so this is the best way we could think of trying to help the family out," said Red Wing alum Kirk Maltby.

The Red Wings Alumni Association along with the Joe Kocur Foundation for Children put this fundraiser together to remember Officer O'Roruke's sacrifice and to make sure the most precious people in his life know they are loved.

"It's a tough season for them, and I hope everything we do tonight shows not only a financial help to them, but I know that we all love them and we care about them," said Red Wing alum Joe Kocur.

"We do a lot of things for the Red Wings charity-wise, but nothing to this magnitude.  I mean, this is something that's really going to make a difference.  I mean, it's never going to make things better, but it can change things and make things a little easier, which is always good," said Red Wing alum Chris Osgood.

"Well over $100,000 for the family," said Draper, and climbing.  That is incredible.

"I am overwhelmed.  I am in awe.  I feel so loved," said Amy O'Rourke.  "I feel all the love pouring out of all these people from my husband."

It was the Wings alum versus the boys in blue.  Local law enforcement guys laced up their skates wearing 55 on their jerseys.  That's their brother's badge number.

"There (are) no words to explain what's going on here today.  There (are) no words to explain how the incident has changed all of us and has brought more of us together maybe, but as a whole, as a community, as a police family, it's just something that's unexplainable," said former West Bloomfield Police Officer Jon Jacob.  "I think Patrick thinks this is the greatest day in the world.  If he saw all these people here for him today, he'd have a big smile of his face."

"Merry Christmas to everybody and I want them all to have a happy New Year," O'Rourke said.  "I don't know that I'll ever be able to put into words how amazed I am and how supported I feel, and I can't wait to give back."