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The mother of late police officer Ella French sent a thank you note to Chicago on Tuesday, nearly two weeks after hundreds of people honored her daughter’s life at a private funeral service and the day that would have was Officer French’s 30th birthday.
“My family and I would like to say THANKS to the people of the city of Chicago and surrounding communities,” Elizabeth French wrote in a letter distributed by CPD. “We want to thank all the women and men of the Chicago Police Department, those special people from the CPD Special Activities Division, and all the women and men in law enforcement near and far.
“We wish to thank Chicago Dispatcher Keith Thornton, Jr., CPD Chaplains, Father Brandt and Cardinal Cupich. We wish to thank Milos Djordjevic of Caring Cremations, all of the wonderful people and students of Saint Rita of Cascia, and staff of the cemetery of the Queen of Heaven We would like to thank all friends, old and new, and we would like to thank the many faces and names of people who remain unknown to us.
“Your beautiful and sincere words of comfort, your prayers and your gifts will be remembered. Most importantly, your love and support during this difficult time will be a treasure that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
“I wish it is possible to thank each of you personally. I will try where I can. Please accept this humble thank you letter to all of you from a grateful mother. I am so blessed. Ella is so honored.
“God bless you all,” the letter ends with a signature from Elizabeth French and a postscript: “PS Happy Birthday Ella Grace! I love you. Mom”
The partnering officer of the fallen Chicago police officer Ella French, Officer Josh Blas, shares memories of their time together in a moving speech at his funeral Thursday.
Constable French was killed after she and her partner were gunned down during a late night traffic stop in the West Englewood neighborhood. Police said three officers stopped a car with three people inside near 63rd Street and Bell over expired plates.
When the police approached the car, one of the occupants of the vehicle opened fire, authorities said. French was shot in the head and his partner was also injured.
The French joined the department in April 2018, according to police officials. She is the first Chicago police officer to be killed in the line of duty since Officers Conrad Gary and Eduardo Marmalejo were struck and killed by a Metra train while responding to a call for gunfire in December 2018. She is the first female officer to be killed in the city since 1988.
French, a young officer who made a big impact during her short stint in the force, was recalled at her funeral for her empathy, compassion and determination.
“She was loud, fun and outgoing,” said her partner Josh Blas, one of the two French police officers during the traffic control which took her life. “She always loved getting to know people and talking to them. She was bubbly and always smiling. She really liked people.”
Once a foster child adopted into his family, French has devoted his free time to welcoming dogs and helping animals give back in a way that reflects his own journey.
Addressing her mother directly during her homily at the service, Cardinal Blase Cupich recalled a conversation in which Elizabeth French described the empathy her daughter exuded not only in her work, but also in her life.
Cardinal Blase Cupich delivered the homily at the funeral of late Chicago policewoman Ella French on Thursday.
“Elizabeth you told me when we first met that Ella has always understood herself as a work in progress, how her experience, especially as a correctional officer in Cook County, made her a better human being because it helped her develop empathy for others, â€he said. noted. “It was her empathy that prompted her to transport a one-year-old baby and her single mother to the hospital, which she was undoubtedly encouraged to do when she witnessed the example. from his fellow officers. It was his ability to connect with others that taught him compassion, empathy and responsibility towards others. “
The streets outside Officer French’s funeral service were inundated with police cars and mourners as the church filled to capacity.
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