My friend Dan is one of those friends-for-life-no-matter-what type of friend.

He’s followed Frankly, My Dear from Day One. It was his encouragement that led me to start New Inklings Press. He was the first to buy The Unemployment Cookbook.

We talk smack about sports, politics, and humor. All.The.Time. He’s just a great guy with a great attitude and a great family.

Dan and I have known each other since grade school. He still lives close to where we grew up in Michigan.

His brother Patrick was a 12-year veteran of the West Bloomfield Police. And just one short week ago, Patty was the first officer ever at West Bloomfield to be killed in the line of duty.

I don’t know all the details. From what I’ve heard from Dan, from friends, and from the news, Pat and several officers were responding to a call that there was a suicidal man in his house. The officers entered, announced their presence, and began to climb stairs to the second story. The suspect opened fire and shot through drywall and a door. Patrick was shot multiple times. He later died at the hospital.

There have been reports and articles and messages and much information about the incident. So I’m not going to delve into any more details about that.

Patrick left behind a wife and four young children.

I owe Dan. I owe him a lot. For years of friendship and being so supportive of my writing endeavors.

I couldn’t get back to Michigan for the funeral. I can’t be there in person to tell them how sorry I am this has happened. I can’t share with him how I’ve cried for Dan, his wife, their kids, and Patrick’s wife and kids. How, from a distance I can’t make sense of it and so I’m overwhelmed with how it must be for Them, who are close. Who are In It. I can’t be there.

But I can be here. I can pray. I can share this post. And I can ask you to help his brother’s family.

A trust has been established to help Amy and their children.

I’m asking you to please contribute. Anything. Don’t drink Starbucks for just one day. Put one less gallon of gas in your car.

Please help this family. Please help Amy get on her feet and support their children. And please keep them in your prayers. Thanks.

Don’t worry if you can’t do anything just now. There’s a Button on my sidebar with this link. And it will stay there as long as the family needs.

Rest in Peace, Patrick O’Rourke.

Patrick O’Rourke Family Trust

And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!

Just Do It.
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