Chicago Police Department, Illinois
End of Watch: Friday, November 14, 1997
Age: 65
Tour of Duty: 39 years, 8 months
Badge Number: 10528
Cause of Death: Assault
Date of Incident: November 13, 1997
Weapon Used: Person
Suspect Info: Four years in prison
Police Officer Frank Balzano was killed while providing security at Harlem-Irving Plaza at 4104 N Harlem Avenue.
Officer Belzano fell during an altercation with several suspects, striking his head. He died of his injuries the next day.
A 17-year-old female and a 16-year-old male were arrested and charged with murder. The 16-year-old was charged as an adult. Both juveniles pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter. The female subject was sentenced to three years probation, and the male subject was sentenced to four years in prison.
Officer Balzano had served with the Chicago Police Department for 39 years and was planning on retiring six weeks later. He was survived by his wife, daughter, two sons, and two grandsons.