Loved ones reminisce about fallen Schaumburg officer

For Frank Russo, the needs and protection of family came before all else.

And it was the desire to protect other families, too, that led him to become a police officer in Schaumburg.

As family, friends and the law enforcement community say farewell today to the village's first officer to die in the line of duty, they also contemplate the painful reality of life without him.

Russo died of a heart attack Saturday while responding to a call of a man resisting efforts to remove him from a club.

A consummate family man, Russo, who was 47, was left to raise his own two kids after his wife died and before he remarried. He'd already been a father figure to his sister's two children after her divorce.

"He was a fantastic uncle to my kids," Russo's sister Sandy said. "Without him, I don't know what I would have done. They were so proud of their uncle that they both changed their last names to Russo."

Russo took his nephew Gary to his first Chicago Bears game in 1986, brought niece Robin to her first day of school and taught her how to tie her shoes and ride a bike.

After Russo and first wife Francine later had son Frank Jr. and daughter Teresa, the family was devastated by Francine's death from breast cancer about a decade ago.

But a ray of light found the family when Russo met Jenny, the German au pair hired to help him look after his children, Sandy Russo said. The couple were married about eight years ago and lived in Lake in the Hills.

"He was outgoing, friendly and always looking for the good in people," his widow said. "He loved his job. He definitely loved being a police officer. But he'd always say a prayer in the evening, 'Thank you God, for letting me come home.' He liked getting the bad guys, especially those who hurt women or children."

Before his decorated, 19-year career with the department, Russo had been a bartender at the Hyatt Regency Woodfield. Police officers who would stop by for an off-duty drink encouraged him to become a cop.

His death came as a total shock, as his health and fitness had never been a question, Jenny said. He was a martial arts black belt, an avid scuba diver and did not have high cholesterol, she said.

"He always pushed himself to lift weights. He said the bad guys were getting younger and stronger and that he needed to keep ahead of them," she said.

Russo's son is now 17 and his daughter 15. Both have become black belts as well.

Russo and his sister grew up in Skokie and later Roselle and graduated from Lake Park High School.

Their parents, Leo and Jacqueline, still live in Roselle. Jacqueline was devastated by her son's death. Leo, who is being treated in a nursing home for dementia, took days to understand what had happened but is now equally upset, Sandy Russo said.

The funeral is 10:30 a.m. today, Nov. 7, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Huntley. After the Mass, Russo will receive a full police honors service including the playing of "Taps," a rifle team salute and a presentation of the American flag to his widow.

Jordan Miczek, the 24-year-old Glendale Heights man authorities say sparked the call that lead to Russo's death, faces felony charges of aggravated battery to an officer and misdemeanor charges of battery and resisting an officer.

He's been released after posting $3,500 bail and is due in court Nov. 21.

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