Schaumburg to name street after fallen officer
Schaumburg officials will name a street on the north side of the village in honor of Frank Russo, the first village police officer to die in the line of duty.
Schaumburg trustees meeting as a committee of the whole this week endorsed the plan to assign an honorary designation to Hammond Drive, located in a part of town Russo once patrolled.
The measure is expected to be formally approved by the village board next week.
Mayor Al Larson said the suggestion of naming a street after Russo first came from the police department.
“He was well-respected and this is a fitting recognition,” Larson said.
No date has been set for the formal installation of a new honorary street sign, but Larson said he expects it will take place with a ceremony attended by Russo's family, his former police colleagues and other village officials.
Russo, a 19-year veteran of the village's police force, died in November 2008 after suffering a heart attack while chasing and struggling with a man who had been kicked out of a bar. He was 47 years old.
Fellow officers at the time described Russo as a well-liked street officer known for his work ethic and sense of humor. He was survived by his wife and two children.