Bond set for man accused of resisting officer who later died

Prosecutor Mike Gerber didn't get exactly what he wanted in court Monday.

Gerber asked for substantial bond for Jordan Miczek, of 93 Shorewood Drive in Glendale Heights, for Friday's altercation at a Schaumburg nightspot, during which veteran Police Officer Frank Russo suffered a fatal heart attack.

Recounting Miczek's alleged behavior - charging at, spitting, verbally assaulting and kicking officers - Gerber said that "an individual who would fight with five uniformed police officers in such a violent way is dangerous."

Miczek, 24, is charged aggravated battery to a police officer, battery and resisting arrest. He faces three to seven years in prison if convicted.

Acknowledging the tragic situation, defense attorney Jim Ryan requested reasonable bail, saying Miczek's behavior did not cause Russo's death.

Ryan, son of the former Illinois attorney general of the same name, also noted Miczek's lack of significant criminal history. He received first-time offender probation for a misdemeanor marijuana conviction.

Cook County Judge Hyman Reibman set bond at $35,000.

Meanwhile Monday, friends of Russo, a 19-year police veteran and the first Schaumburg officer to die in the line of duty, remembered his outgoing attitude and family spirit.

His death isn't the first tragedy in his family. His children - Frank Jr., 17, and Teresa, 15 - lost their mother to cancer eight years ago, friends said. Russo is also survived by his second wife, Jenny. The family lives in McHenry.

John Cantin, owner of Crystal Lake's AKF Martial Arts Academy, has known Russo and his family for a decade.

Russo and his children not only earned blackbelts, but he went on to instruct others.

"He was very deeply involved in our school," Cantin said. "He's got just such a friendly, outgoing personality that he could talk to little kids or older folks just the same, it made no difference."

Lisa Hernandez's daughter Kassidy was a student of Russo's at the academy.

"He would share a lot of his police officer experiences," she said. "He made it more real. It's easy to teach someone a new move, but if you can explain a story as to why you need to, it's more real."

She said Russo's children in particular are in her thoughts.

"It's heartbreaking for those kids to lose a mom and a dad," Hernandez said.

Cantin said he visited Russo's family Sunday and that they were doing OK under the circumstances.

In addition to martial arts, the family was also devoted to scuba diving, Cantin said.

Visitation for Russo will be 3 to 9 p.m. Thursday at St. Mary Catholic Church, 10307 Dundee Road, Huntley. Visitation will resume at 9:30 a.m. Friday, with services starting at 10:30 a.m.

Following Mass, officers will pay their final respects to Russo outside the church with the playing of Taps and a rifle team salute. Burial will be private and there will be no procession.

Members of the Schaumburg Police Patrol Officers Association have set up an Officer Russo Family Fund. Donations can be made by listing that name in the memo section of checks sent to Heritage Bank of Schaumburg, 1535 W. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg, IL 60194.

Miczek's next court date is Nov. 21.

• Staff writer Nadia Malik contributed to this report.