God bless Kenosha County Sheriff Deputy Frank Fabiano Jr

A wife lost a husband.

A daughter lost a father.

Kenosha County Sheriff's Department lost a brother and a friend.

Kenosha County residents lost a defender of our freedom.

God Bless Kenosha County Sheriff Deputy Frank Fabiano Jr.



Kenosha News-

Frank Fabiano Jr., an 18-year veteran of the Kenosha Sheriff’s Department, died early Thursday after being shot during a traffic stop in the town of Somers.

The deputy was taken by Somers Rescue Squad to St. Catherine’s Medical Center where he died.

A massive manhunt ensued for about three hours after the shooting as police helicopters and K-9 units sought the suspect.

Residents in the area also were notified by law enforcement with a phone recording and several residents called in with tips, Sheriff David Beth said during a Thursday morning press conference.

The suspect, Ezequiel Lopez, 45, was found 15 blocks away in the 3200 block of 15th Street. He was found armed and hiding behind vehicles in an apartment complex parking lot.

Beth said Lopez has several aliases and Social Security numbers. He is in custody and being held at a facility outside of the county.

According to court records, Lopez in March 2006 was placed on 24 months of probation by Kenosha Circuit Court Judge David Bastianelli for battery. A disorderly conduct charge was dismissed. A nine-month county jail term was stayed.

In an earlier case, Kenosha Circuit Court Judge S. Michael Wilk, also in March 2006, revoked Lopez’ 18-month probation and sentenced him to 12 months in jail for battery and disorderly conduct. Wilk had placed Lopez on probation in that case in November 2005.

Fabiano was shot at 11:37 p.m. Wednesday in a subdivision south of 12th Street (Highway E) and Green Bay Road (Highway 31).Beth said Fabiano was attempting a traffic stop on a red 1996 Chevy Astro.

The van initially did not pull over but eventually stopped in the neighborhood. A short time later, UW-Parkside officer Jimmie Spino arrived for backup.

Beth said Spino found Fabiano had been shot and returned fire. The suspect fled into a wooded area and Spino called for help.

Sheriff’s officials announced about 5 a.m. that Fabiano had died.

Fabiano was also shot in the line of duty during a domestic dispute on August 10, 1991.

Fabiano, 48, a 1977 graduate of Bradford High School, is survived by his wife Amy and a 7-year-old daughter.

The death came barely a day after the Sheriff’s Department gathered with other county law enforcement agencies for an annual ceremony to honor officers who have died in the line of duty.

“Less than 36 hours earlier at the law enforcement memorial, I asked for all of law enforcement to work together to never add another name to the monument,” Beth said. “I believe we attempted to hold up that end of the request. Unfortunately, I did not make it known to the criminals that have no regard for the life of others. In a few days we’ll add the name of Frank Fabiano Jr. to the law enforcement memorial, one more name too many.”

Click here for a look at Kenosha County police officers, deputies and firefighters who have died in the line of duty.

I have opened up the comments so anyone can post their condolences to the family and friends under "anonymous". You will not need an account to post.

Bumping this to the top.