Schaumburg police honors fallen officer Russo with ceremony

With a solemn ceremony, the Schaumburg Police Department has unveiled a plaque honoring its first officer ever to die in the line of duty.

Officer Frank Russo suffered a heart attack in the early hours of Nov. 1, 2008, while attempting to restrain an unruly customer outside John Barleycorn's, a Schaumburg restaurant. The 47-year-old father of two had been on Schaumburg police force since 1989.

Russo, who lived in Lake in the Hills, was the first Schaumburg officer to die on duty in the department's 48-year history. The plaque, featuring a photograph of Russo and his police star, was unveiled during a private ceremony Tuesday. The memorial is displayed at the department's Wall of Honor at police headquarters, the Martin J. Conroy Center at 1000 W. Schaumburg Road.

The wall honors retired officers and those who've passed away while still on the force.

Police also presented Russo's wife Jenny, son Frank Jr and daughter Teresa with several items honoring Russo. They included the department's Purple Heart Award, a personalized Bible from the International Conference of Police Chaplains and a U.S. flag hoisted over the U.S. Capitol on the day Russo died.

The U.S. Capitol Police sent the flag to Schaumburg, Sgt. John Nebl said, adding he couldn't list all the items sent from other police departments to memorize Russo because there were so many.

"There was just a tremendous outpouring from all around the country," Nebl said.

The police Honor Guard also added a ribbon with Russo's star No. 1807 on the department's memorial flag.

Russo, who most called Frankie, had spent most of the last decade on the night shift, using a big smile to help diffuse potentially complicated situations.