Pat Francis O'Rourke (August 27, 1942 – July 3, 2001) was an American businessman and politician based in El Paso, Texas.
His great-grandfather, Bernard O'Rourke, was an Irish Catholic railway worker originally from Glencar, County Leitrim and naturalized as an American citizen in 1868.
His first forays into politics were greatly aided by his uncle, Raymond O'Rourke, head jailer for El Paso County who ultimately held that position for 30 years.
O'Rourke and El Paso Mayor Jonathan Rogers worked to consolidate some of the governments' services to try to save taxpayer money.
[10] On July 3, 2001, O'Rourke, a longtime cycling enthusiast, died while riding his bicycle along the shoulder of Pete Domenici Highway just outside the city limits of El Paso about 30 feet (9.1 m) across the New Mexico state line when he was struck from behind by a 1999 Pontiac Grand Am throwing him 70 feet (21 m) causing severe head injuries; he was pronounced dead at the scene.
No charges were filed against the driver in connection with O'Rourke's death, but he was arrested for an outstanding warrant for failure to appear in court for a suspended license citation.