More than 200 people gathered in Garfield Ridge on Sunday afternoon, a sea of blue — including many wearing “Garfield Ridge Strong” shirts — for the unveiling of a statue in honor of fallen Chicago Police Officer Ella French.
Elizabeth French, Ella’s mother, was brought to tears as she and Officers Carlos Yanez Jr. and Joshua Blas — who were with Ella French the night she was killed — unveiled the statue in Wentworth Park, shortly before the crowd sang “Happy birthday” on what would have been the fallen officer’s 34th birthday.
Elizabeth French said the statue “captured the beauty and essence of Ella” and was “healing.” The statue sits near a dog park bearing the animal-loving officer’s name.
But like any parent who has suffered such a loss: “You’d rather have your child,” she said.
“I look at her, and I want to touch her,” Elizabeth French told reporters. “I could not have imagined a better birthday gift for her. … She’s beyond beautiful. This is just a wonderfully, wonderfully sad thing.”
The artist, Erik Blome, said he began work on the bronze piece nearly a year ago. He relied on Ella French’s uniform — which was delivered to him by John Catanzara, president of the Fraternal Order of Police. A shelter dog served as a model for French’s dog.
Catanzara told the crowd that he and Ald. Ray Lopez (15th) initially suggested renaming Chicago’s Animal Care and Control agency after Ella French, but after talks with her family, they landed on the idea of a dog park and statue.
“It is my hope that all of Chicago can take a minute to appreciate, thank and support our brave police officers and first responders who put their lives on the line,” said Ald. Marty Quinn (13th), who helped arrange for the park and statue.
Officers French, Yanez and Blas were on patrol just after 9 p.m. Aug. 7, 2021, when they made a traffic stop on a vehicle with an expired registration. After spotting an open bottle of alcohol on the floor of the car, they ordered the three occupants out. One of the passengers, Emonte Morgan, fatally shot French. Yanez was also shot and suffered serious injuries.
Yanez, wearing a bracelet bearing Ella French’s name that he received while undergoing rehab after the shooting, said he had a mix of emotions shortly after the unveiling.
“It brings back a lot of old memories,” Yanez said after the unveiling. “It’s hard to look at it and not cry. … Ella is still doing her job, touching lives and bringing a positive influence and impact to people and animals.”
Standing beside French in the statue is a bronze statue of her dog Bella. French rescued Bella shortly after joining the force, one of many dogs she stopped to help while on patrol. Also at the event were Cook County canine Officer Eella and Chicago police equestrian Officer French, both named in Ella French’s honor.
“I know it makes her happy to be watching over the dogs who will come here to play,” her mother said of the park.
A plaque with the statue describes French as someone “who understood the importance of compassion and respect for all living beings.”
8th District Cmdr. Bryan Spreyne lauded Ella French as an example for other officers, calling her a “truly spectacular public servant,” and he said the statue remind others in law enforcement that they should carry themselves as she did.
“She showed us what empathy looks like in action,” Spreyne said. “Whether saving an injured child or rescuing a lost pup, her kindness radiated through every interaction. Her caring nature inspired her fellow officers to go beyond the badge and treat every person and creature with compassion and respect.”