Will Cook County News

Edited by Claude Martinez. Updated on 10/18/24 at 11:33 PM.

On Wednesday, October 16, Governor JB Pritzker and Illinois State Police (ISP) Director and Illinois Law Enforcement Medal of Honor Committee Chair Brendan F. Kelly presented the Illinois Law Enforcement Medal of Honor to ISP Trooper Brian Frank in recognition of his exceptional bravery and sacrificial service to the residents of Illinois.

On February 15, 2021, ISP Trooper Brian Frank (Resident of Lemont/born & raised in Oak Forest) was seriously injured as a result of a Move Over Law violation, known as Scott’s Law in Illinois (requires drivers to yield the right-of-way to emergency vehicles and workers. Firefighter Scott Gillen was killed, in 2000, by a drunk driver).

Trooper Frank was responding to a traffic crash in Will County and pulled behind the wrecked vehicles in the left lane with his emergency lights activated. Another car crashed into the rear of Trooper Frank’s squad car causing incapacitating injuries to him. The driver was charged with Aggravated Reckless Driving and for violating the Move Over Law.

The Illinois Law Enforcement Medal of Honor is awarded by the Law Enforcement Medal of Honor Committee to officers who have been killed or seriously injured in the line of duty, or who have displayed exceptional bravery or heroism while performing their duties as a law enforcement officer.

Trooper Frank received the award alongside his wife, Lauren Frank, who is a strong Move Over Law advocate. Trooper Frank has persevered through an extensive rehabilitative journey.

“Navigating Brian’s severe traumatic brain injury recovery and aftermath has been the hardest thing I ever could have imagined,” said Lauren Frank. “We are 3.5 years out and still waiting for Brian to return to full consciousness. The setbacks, the complications, the legal matters, the medical bills, the home life adjustments, just to name a few obstacles since the crash, have been incomprehensible.”

Lauren added “I am grateful to take a moment to pause and recognize Brian for the hero that he is. Amidst all the heartache, he deserves to be celebrated for surviving another year against all odds, for the sacrifice he made, risking and ultimately giving his life, to protect others. I am so proud of Brian and it is my honor to love him and fight alongside him for his healing. For today, this acknowledgment with the Medal of Honor is certainly a gift.”

Governor JB Pritzker said “Trooper Frank, in his service to Illinois State Police, and in the example he has set during his recovery, has set a high standard of bravery and made our state a better and safer place. This Medal of Honor will not even begin to repay Trooper Frank’s sacrifices, but I hope it serves as a reminder of the reverence we hold him in and the incredibly positive impact of his service.”

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