Frank Shankwitz, the Arizona Highway Patrol police officer died who helped a terminally ill boy fulfill his dream of becoming a biker police officer and then co-create the Make-a-Wish Foundation.
Shankwitz passed away at his home in Prescott, Arizona … succumbing to esophageal cancer. Frank passed away on January 24th. His wife, Kitty, 38 years ago, was beside his bed.
LINE FOR A HERO
Officer Frank Shankwitz died today. He’s one of the nicest I’ve ever met and here’s his story. It all started with a boy named Chris Greicius. Chris wanted to be a cop.
The problem was, he had leukemia. He was dying. pic.twitter.com/7Cy1C2ad5N– Brad Meltzer (@bradmeltzer) February 7, 2021
@bradmeltzer
Frank heard about a boy named Chris Greicius in 1980 … the child had late-stage leukemia and wanted to be a motorcycle cop when he grew up, as did Ponch and Jon from the TV show “CHiPs”.
Frank wanted to make Chris’s dream come true, but he thought the boy might not be physically prepared for the adventure, saying: “I thought he would be brought in a wheelchair, I was surprised when the door opened and a pair of sneakers appeared. “
Shankwitz explained: “Apart from Chris, an excited 7-year-old boy who seemed so full of life that it was hard to believe he was sick.” So Frank gave him a badge and a uniform and even took a driving test in his backyard to become a real cop. Chris was beyond thrilled.
CHiPs stars Erik Estrada and Larry Wilcox later signed a photo for Chris, but when Shankwitz went to give him … Chris went into a light coma.
Chris hung his uniform by the bed and, when Frank put the badge on his shirt, he woke up and asked, “Am I an official motorcycle cop now?” “You sure are,” said Frank.
Chris died later that day.
A few months later, Frank created the Make-a-Wish Foundation. More than 315,000 children in the United States have had their dreams come true as a result of Frank’s efforts.
Today, the organization has 64 chapters in the United States and 36 chapters internationally.
Frank was 77 years old.
REST IN PEACE