Thousands Attend Funeral Of Fallen Chicago Police Officer Ella French

Thousands of mourners arrived at the St. Rita of Cascia Church to pay their respects to fallen Chicago Police Department officer Ella French.

French was killed in the line of duty on August 7, while conducting a traffic stop. She was 29. French was laid to rest on Thursday morning (August 19). Officers from departments spanning the nation honored French during her visitation on Wednesday (August 18).

Cardinal Blase Cupich presided over the funeral and French’s mother delivered her eulogy, ABC 7 reported during the station’s live coverage of the service.

“We’ll continue to be courageous, brave, committed and dedicated forever to protecting the people of Chicago,” Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown pledged on Thursday. “I would just ask the people of Chicago to continue to pray for our healing. (There’s) deep, deep grieving by every one of our officers.” He encouraged people to continue to pray and “please continue to say ‘thank you’ to officers for their service.”

“We will #NeverForget the true bravery she exemplified as she laid her life down to protect others,” the Chicago Police Department said of its fallen officer in a tweet on Sunday (August 8). “Please hold her family, loved ones and fellow Chicago Police officers in your thoughts as we grieve the loss of this hero.”

“Please also pray for her wounded partner, who is in the hospital fighting for his life,” the department added. “We're asking for everyone to lift up this officer and his family as we pray for his recovery.”

Officer Carlos Yanez Jr. recorded a video from his hospital bed, which WGN 9 shared Wednesday evening, to thank the community for their support: “I love you all.” His family established a GoFundMe campaign to help with medical expenses. The fundraiser has collected more than $229,000 of its $250,000 goal as of Thursday afternoon. Carlos Yanez Sr. attended French’s funeral on his son’s behalf on Thursday, according to ABC 7.

Authorities have charged two suspects — brothers Emonte and Eric Morgan 21 and 22, respectively — in connection with the shooting incident that killed French and wounded Yanez. The mother of the two suspects, Evalena Flores, 41, was also arrested after live-streaming an attempt to get into the hospital where one of her sons was receiving treatment for his injuries.

French, who began working for the Chicago Police department in 2018, is reportedly survived by her mother and brother.