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Slain cop mourned in Kenosha
Fellow officers fill Carthage College chapel to say goodbye to deputy shot during traffic stop

By Dave Wischnowsky
Tribune staff reporter

May 24, 2007

KENOSHA -- Frank Fabiano Jr. should have been on a date Friday night.

But the 18-year Kenosha County sheriff's deputy couldn't keep the long-standing plans with his 7-year-old daughter, Angelina, to attend the opening of "Shrek the Third."

He died a day earlier after he was shot in the head during a routine traffic stop in nearby Somers.

On Wednesday, Fabiano, 48, was laid to rest in his hometown after a funeral befitting a head of state. Among mourners packing Carthage College's Siebert Chapel were Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle, Archbishop Timothy Dolan of Milwaukee and hundreds of uniformed law-enforcement officials.

"One week ago today, heaven had a new peace officer on patrol," an emotional Kenosha County Sheriff David Beth told mourners before sharing the story about Fabiano's canceled date with his daughter.

"And Angelina," said Beth, his voice cracking, "when 'Shrek 4' comes out, will you go with me?"

About 11:35 p.m. on May 16, Fabiano was on duty when he attempted to pull over a mini-van. According to sheriff's police, the driver sped into a nearby neighborhood, stopping when he reached the end of a cul-de-sac.

Both men got out of their vehicles, and the van's driver shot Fabiano before fleeing into the woods.

Fabiano was airlifted to St. Catherine's Hospital in Pleasant Prairie, where he was pronounced dead at 12:30 a.m. Thursday.

About 2 1/2 hours later, police arrested Ezeiquiel Lopez in a Kenosha apartment complex. He had a .38-caliber handgun that matched the weapon used in the shooting, according to officials.

Lopez, 44, of Kenosha, was charged with first-degree intentional homicide, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison. Lopez told police that he was high on alcohol and cocaine and did not remember shooting anyone, according to the charges filed against him.

Kenosha residents said Fabiano's death and Lopez's immigration status have been the talk of the town for the last week.

"Our phone lines have been lighting up," said Pat Hegewald, news director of Kenosha radio station WLIP-AM 1050.

According to the Kenosha County district attorney, Lopez has used several aliases and has a criminal record that stretches to Utah and Texas, besides Kenosha.

Federal immigration officials are investigating Lopez. A spokeswoman for the district attorney's office could not confirm his immigration status.

Louis Perri, 59, a retired Kenosha police detective who knew Fabiano professionally, said the death highlights multiple issues.

"Some of the talk is about how it was an illegal immigrant, but it's also about our society in general," Perri said. "There's a lack of respect for life today. And there's a lack of respect for law and order.

"That's something that's dissipated even in my lifetime, and once it goes, it's hard to get that back."

On Wednesday, retirees in wheelchairs waved American flags and schoolchildren stood with their hands on their hearts as Fabiano's funeral procession wove through Kenosha's north side.

Inside Siebert Chapel, Angelina paid final respects to her father, who is also survived by his wife, Amy, with a note read aloud by funeral home director Bill Althaus.

"Dear Daddy, I love you," Angelina wrote. "You're a good Daddy. I will always love you."