Earlier this year, the village of Glenview was shaken to its core when Officer Robert Fryc, a veteran of the police department, was killed in a violent crash while driving into work. Seven months later, the grief still lingers as his family, colleagues, and community continue to honor the man they called a brother.
A Fatal Morning in Barrington
On February 16, Fryc, 43, was on his way to work when his car was struck in a near head-on collision in Barrington. Authorities say Christopher Lopez, 23, veered across lanes on Northwest Highway after a night of drinking, slamming into Fryc’s vehicle.
Prosecutors allege Lopez admitted to consuming multiple drinks before getting behind the wheel. Though his blood alcohol level later tested below the legal limit, police say open tequila and cannabis residue were found in his car. Data collected also suggested he was speeding and never braked before impact.
Lopez has been charged with reckless homicide and remains in custody pending trial.
Mourning a Fallen Officer
The tragedy left the Glenview Police Department reeling. Fryc had served since 2007, earning recognition just weeks earlier for his dedication to the force.
“Officer Fryc was more than just a colleague. He was a part of our family and a part of this community. Our hearts are broken,” Police Chief William Fitzpatrick said in a statement.
At the time, Village President Michael Jenny also expressed condolences, calling Fryc’s death “a devastating loss.”
A Final Goodbye
Funeral services were held on February 21 at Our Lady of the Wayside Catholic Church in Arlington Heights. Despite frigid temperatures, mourners lined the streets, blue ribbons wrapped around trees, and an American flag flew at half-staff as Fryc’s flag-draped casket was carried inside.
Dozens of law enforcement officers from across the region attended, standing shoulder to shoulder with Fryc’s family.
“If he was backing you up, you knew it was going to be OK,” said Officer Gene Harlow, who trained alongside Fryc at the academy.
After the Mass, a solemn procession escorted him to St. Michael the Archangel Cemetery in Palatine, where he was laid to rest.
A Legacy That Endures
Fryc’s colleagues remember him as a steady presence — someone who combined knowledge, calm under pressure, and an unwavering dedication to service.
He leaves behind not only a grieving department but a community still grappling with the sudden loss of a man who spent nearly two decades protecting it.
Seven months later, the trial of the man accused of killing him looms ahead, but for Glenview, the focus remains on the life of an officer described as dependable, selfless, and deeply loved.
