Orland Park Cops Ignore Razors To Help Illinois State Police Trooper

ORLAND PARK, IL — Officers in the Orland Park Police Department spent November ignoring their razors in an effort to raise money for charity. But now, after No-Shave November, the officers will keep collecting funds to help support one of their own.

Local officers raised more than $4,300 for Special Olympics. during November during the no-shave initiative, the department announced on Thursday. The department posted photos of the officers on its Facebook page who participated in the charitable effort, which was expected to send all of its collection to the organization that provides opportunities for special needs athletes.

But on Friday, police officials said that the no-shave efforts will run through December when the department will collect funds for former Orland Park police officer Brian Frank. Frank, who is now a trooper for the Illinois State Police, was seriously injured when his squad car was struck from behind while he was on a traffic stop in Joliet in February 2021.

Frank was airlifted to a local hospital after police officials said he sustained serious brain injuries. Since the crash, a GoFundMe effort has raised more than $128,000 with more than 1,700 donations. All of the funds will be contributed to Frank and his wife, Lauren.

"If any man can do this, and conquer this, and prove everyone wrong it's Brian," said Lauren Frank told CBS Chicago in 2021.

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