11/26/12- A Livingston County family still trying to come to grips with the death of their husband and father says the number 55 is bringing them some solace. Why 55? Because that was the badge number of 39-year-old West Bloomfield Police Officer Patrick O'Rourke who was shot and killed in the line of duty in early September. O'Rourkeâs widow, Amy, tells the Free Press for a story today that the family, which lives in Tyrone Township, sees the number 55 often: on a clock, the final cost of a tank of gas or points scored in a game. She says seeing the number mostly makes her and her children smile and feel like he's sending them a message. Other times, it can be painful, such as earlier this month on the 55th day of school for his daughters. Amy OâRourke says that was bothering her 5-year-old, so she decided to make it fun and had the kids come up with 55 things they loved about their daddy. Among the list was that he made really good pancakes and chili, read good stories, sang like Elvis and played guitar. But as the holidays approach, OâRourke says that trying to adjust to a life without him, must include forgiving his killer, 50-year-old Ricky Coley, who police said shot through his bedroom door and hit O'Rourke after he had been ordered out of the house as part of a divorce settlement. He kept police at bay during a 20-hour standoff that ended after Coley committed suicide. Amy says the day after her husbandâs murder she went to mass and felt Patrick sitting with her with a strong urge to forgive Coley, which she has done, telling the Free Press, "Forgiven. It's over." (JK)
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