Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Ella French was shot and killed while she and two other officers conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle containing three subjects near the intersection of West 63rd Street and South Bell Avenue at 9:00 p.m.
During the traffic stop, the driver admitted he had marijuana on him. When Officer French asked the subjects to exit the vehicle, one of the subjects struggled with one of the officers, refusing to put down items in his hand and sit on the curb. The driver exited the vehicle and fled. One of the officers left the scene to chase the driver. As the struggle ensued, Officer French came to the officer's aid. The subject opened fire, striking Officer French and her partner, who had not drawn their weapons. The officer returned to the scene when he heard gunshots. The subject fired at him but missed. He returned fire and struck the subject before the subject fled.
Both officers were taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where Officer French was pronounced dead. Her partner was admitted in critical condition. He was shot five times and lost his right eye and parts of his skull.
All three subjects in the vehicle fled the scene. Two subjects were arrested shortly after the incident, and a third subject was taken into custody the following day. The driver was sentenced to seven years in prison after pleading guilty to aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, aggravated battery, and obstruction of justice. Another subject, who was not in the vehicle that night, pleaded guilty in federal court to straw purchasing the firearm used to kill Officer French and was sentenced to 30 months in prison. The gunman was convicted of first-degree murder, attempted murder of a peace officer, and possession/use of a firearm as a felon and was sentenced to life without parole. He was also sentenced to an additional 50 years for the attempted murder of the other officer and seven years for being a felon possessing a weapon that night.
Officer French had served with the Chicago Police Department for almost 3-1/2 years and was assigned to the Community Safety Team.
Survivors
She is survived by her mother and brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-60C770D6- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer French gave the Chicago Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer French.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Ella Grace French is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In IL, 842 of 1,318 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.9% of this state's fallen. That is 9.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Chicago Police Department, 396 of 571 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Ella Grace French's cause is highlighted.
How Ella Grace French Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life without parole
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Ella Grace French is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Ella Grace French was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
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