21 Comments - Grandson of Man - Monday, Aug 9, 21 @ 10:43 am: Deepest condolences to the officer’s family, friends and colleagues. The “defund the police” concept pushed by some on the far left would be an utter failure. It’s a knee-jerk reaction, something we don’t need to try to solve problems as deeply entrenched as gun violence. - Sterling - Monday, Aug 9, 21 @ 10:50 am: Officer French’s passing is a tragedy for every Chicagoan. She served her city well, and what happened is terrible and downright unacceptable. But this has nothing to do with “defund the police”. Chicago has continued to invest more and more in its police department and this tragedy still occurred. For any other government program that continually increased its budget despite stable or worsening performance outcomes, there would (rightfully) be outrage and demands for audits and accountability. Decreasing – or increasing – the funds allocated to law enforcement has no direct correlation to this tragedy, and anyone on either side using this tragic loss of life to try to push a political agenda in either direction should be ashamed of themselves. - Donnie Elgin - Monday, Aug 9, 21 @ 10:55 am: Thoughts and prayers to the officer’s family. Violence against police is, unfortunately, a growing trend. https://www.wcia.com/news/local-news/violence-against-police-rising-nationwide-fbi-data-shows/ - Dosseis - Monday, Aug 9, 21 @ 10:56 am: ==Chicago has continued to invest more and more in its police department and this tragedy still occurred.== this 100% - 47th Ward - Monday, Aug 9, 21 @ 10:57 am: If we can’t keep guns out of the hands of criminals, and apparently we can’t, then we need to put the shooters in a place where they can’t have guns. And keep them there until they’re too old to pull a trigger. RIP Officer French. Thanks for taking on a thankless job and giving your life to protect and serve. - Oswego Willy - Monday, Aug 9, 21 @ 11:01 am: Truly heartbreaking, the interview with her brother was tough to get through. My thoughts and prayers for her family and friends at this very difficult time. - DuPage Saint - Monday, Aug 9, 21 @ 11:03 am: Was a video of her trying to help on that botched warrant arrest of that poor lady. she came by after the raid asking to help. She sounded so calm and helpful. God bless her and her family - Callitlikeitis - Monday, Aug 9, 21 @ 11:19 am: ==Chicago has continued to invest more and more in its police department== No it hasn’t. Since Daley broke Chicago and Rahm’s slash and burn from 2011, CPD gets less money today than in 2010 when you factor inflation - Amalia - Monday, Aug 9, 21 @ 11:28 am: Peace and condolences to her family and friends and her colleagues. Healing to her partner. Peace to all. - Hannibal Lecter - Monday, Aug 9, 21 @ 11:33 am: The body cam and squad car videos need to be released to show all of Chicago what happened and what police officers have to deal with on a consistent basis. - Oswego Willy - Monday, Aug 9, 21 @ 11:35 am: ===The body cam and squad car videos=== Works both ways. Otherwise there would rarely be delays in showing those videos… no matter the instance. This tragedy is one of heartbreak. - Hannibal Lecter - Monday, Aug 9, 21 @ 11:37 am: === Works both ways. Otherwise there would rarely be delays in showing those videos… no matter the instance. === Not sure what this means, but I am not trying to say that protocols shouldn’t be followed when it comes to releasing the videos. I’m sure that over due time, they will be released. - Cool Papa Bell - Monday, Aug 9, 21 @ 11:56 am: The quick disinformation campaign on the officer killed was incredible. I know it’s all my in-laws will talk about and when I tell them it was all actually FAKE NEWS they will scoff and move on like that lie is one worth telling. May her memory be a blessing. - Original Rambler - Monday, Aug 9, 21 @ 12:17 pm: A terrible tragedy. My condolences to the families. HL, this is not what officers have to deal with on a consistent basis but it is something they have to be prepared for at any moment. - Fly like an eagle - Monday, Aug 9, 21 @ 1:13 pm: “No it hasn’t. Since Daley broke Chicago and Rahm’s slash and burn from 2011, CPD gets less money today than in 2010 when you factor inflation.” Not true at all. Look at the chart at https://www.civicfed.org/civic-federation/blog/what-chicago-police-department-budget The police department budget has gone up every year since 2012. The inflation rate rate has been 2% or lower since 2012, only recently breaking past 2% this year. - Jocko - Monday, Aug 9, 21 @ 1:21 pm: My condolences to the family…and best wishes that her partner recovers. A chilling reminder why LEOs put their hand on the trunk when conducting a traffic stop - Shield - Monday, Aug 9, 21 @ 1:28 pm: - Callitlikeitis - Monday, Aug 9, 21 @ 11:19 am: Chicago spends way more on police today than in the past and spent nearly a quarter of its COVID relief money on cops too. https://www.voanews.com/usa/race-america/chicago-nearly-ttripled-capita-police-spending-1964 https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-chicago-lightfoot-covid-19-police-spending-20210217-uohx77y36nblrf2526whoedkgi-story.html - Shield - Monday, Aug 9, 21 @ 3:32 pm: Feds charge alleged straw purchaser of gun used in fatal shooting of Chicago police officer https://chicago.suntimes.com/crime/2021/8/9/22617216/chicago-police-officer-ella-french-killed-feds-charge-straw-purchaser-gun?utm_campaign=chicago.suntimes&utm_content=entry&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter - Amalia - Monday, Aug 9, 21 @ 4:00 pm: Tragic, but I don’t get the police turning their backs on the Mayor. she’s not a defunder, she did not want the full on community decision making for police oversight, the contract is being negotiated well and their (nutty) union leader seems happy with it. I get that there is violence but she’s not the reason. - All this - Monday, Aug 9, 21 @ 4:05 pm: Amelia, I don’t really get it either. She doesn’t control the courts. And people have free will. - FormerParatrooper - Monday, Aug 9, 21 @ 8:54 pm: Bless Ella French and those she left behind. I hope the best for her partner, may he recover physically and mentally. Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.