As thousands gathered to honor the Fenton resident and who was killed Sunday, many others worked hard to make sure the .
Sgt. Dave Reinfelder, of the said all of the city's police officers were on duty. They began directing traffic at 7 a.m. and closed Adelaide Street, from North Road to Silver Lake Road, at 7:15 a.m.
"The whole police department in Fenton is working to make sure this goes as smoothly as possible," Reinfelder said.
And the provided several deputies to help with traffic control.
The funeral service took place at in Fenton during the so Applefest volunteers lent a hand as well. Fred Havercroft, co-chair for set up of the Applefest, said they worked Thursday night to remove entertainment signs and prepare midway tents to seat attendees. They moved more than 1,000 chairs and other equipment inside the tents, so guests could watch the services broadcasted from inside the church onto TV screens in the tents.
St. John Catholic Church staff also assisted, helping people who were unfamiliar with the parish grounds find their way around on the day of the funeral. And catered the funeral luncheon.
In addition, several volunteers and two Salvation Army staff members provided refreshments before the funeral. Sgt. George Ahren came out of retirement as head of the Eastern Michigan Salvation Army's Disaster Services to help coordinate the effort.
Two Michigan Salvation Army units were on hand to provide hydration and food to those who needed it, including the many law enforcement members who attended the funeral to honor
"It's support for our officers," Ahren said.
O'Rourke's funeral was the 43rd line of duty death he went to in his 25 years with the Salvation Army, Ahren said. The Salvation Army provides support at funerals for firefighters, police officers, FBI agents and Border Patrol members.
"Two of our trucks were at the shooting when Officer O'Rourke was killed," he said.
The Salvation Army was at the in West Bloomfield, for 18 hours.
They provided refreshments for emergency personnel included hot coffee, cold juice or water, bananas, doughnuts and more.
"But the policemen are doing much better," he said. "They don't eat as many doughnuts as they used to."
