# Officer Ella French Honorary Street Naming Ceremony 8.7.25 - Date: August 8, 2025 - Type: Video - Length: 54:30 - Topic: Events - Video: [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wptCMsHuLzI) - Transcript: Machine transcription, 4,561 words ([text](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/transcripts/youtube/wptCMsHuLzI.txt)) - Mayor: [Brandon Johnson](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor) ## Chapters - [0:00](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=0) Opening remarks and welcome - [10:19](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=619) Alderwoman's opening speech - [11:50](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=710) National anthem and colors - [15:44](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=944) Opening prayer - [18:25](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=1105) Mayor Johnson's tribute - [22:42](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=1362) Superintendent Snelling's remarks - [34:19](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=2059) 10th district tribute - [38:04](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=2284) Family and partner speeches - [42:02](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=2522) Unveiling the street sign - [50:51](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=3051) Closing prayer ## Description Mayor Brandon Johnson attends Officer Ella French Honorary Street Naming Ceremony. ## Transcript [8:23](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=503) in which we get to honor a very special human being, a Chicago police officer named Ella French. Before we post our colors and have the singing of the national anthem, I would like to take a brief moment to thank some very special individuals that are here with us today. With us today is our Mayor, Brandon Johnson, our Deputy Mayor, Garyon Gatewood, our Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department, Larry Snelling, Our command staff that is with us and always supports us, standing behind us. [8:58](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=538) Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart and his staff, thank you for all your support. Our elected officials, one of which you will hear from briefly, thank you for everything you do for us. We appreciate all the support. Our Gold Star family members, thank you for being here with us, for always standing with us the same way we stand with you. members of our chicago police department thank you for being here we appreciate everything you do for us to all our friends and our family thank you for being here with us we appreciate you more [9:32](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=572) than you will ever know and of course mrs elizabeth french thank you so much we hope that today we honor ella in the proper manner at this time ladies and gentlemen i would like to introduce a woman who spearheaded this along with our sergeant from Cavs, Sergeant Ruiz Officer Salgado and the CAB team of the 10th District. [10:03](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=603) But this woman is very special to us. She's the champion of the Chicago Police Department and is always an ally of ours and the community. I would like to introduce Alderwoman Monique Scott. Good afternoon. Good afternoon. On behalf of the 24th Ward, the City of Chicago, I want to welcome you all and thank you for being here today as we gather to honor the life and legacy of Officer Ella French. The moment is not just about a street sign. It's about a life of service, courage, and deep compassion. [10:42](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=642) Officer French stood for everything we hope to see in those who wear the badge. Integrity, kindness, and unwavering commitment to our communities. Today, as we unveil the honorary street sign, we ensure that her name and the sacrifice she made would never be forgotten. Every person who passes this sign and this corner will be reminded of the bravery and the light she brought to the city. To Officer French's family, friends, and fellow officers, we thank you. [11:16](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=676) Your strength inspires us. And to Ella, your memory lives on, not only in our hearts, but now permanently in the very fabric of this city you served so faithfully. So I'd like to welcome all of you and thank you for being a part of this important tribute. And now I would like to introduce, no. Now we will stand for the National Anthem. [11:49](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=709) Ladies and gentlemen, at this time we'll be posting our colors, followed by the singing of the National Anthem, by our very own Arturo Andangue. [13:15](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=795) Oh say can you see by the dawn's early light What so proudly we hailed At the twilight's last gleaming Whose broad stripes and bright stars Through the perilous fight [13:47](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=827) O'er the ramparts we'd watched Were so gallantly streaming And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave [14:24](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=864) O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave? [15:01](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=901) Ladies and gentlemen, at this time, if you can remain standing, I would like to introduce Reverend Raphael Yanez for our opening prayer. [15:51](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=951) Let us pray. May the God of hope give you the fullness of peace and may the Lord of life be with you always. Loving God, as we gather here in your name, we ask that you sanctified our time. [16:22](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=982) Be with us as we honor our sister Ella. brothers and sisters we stand in holy ground on the shoulders of giants peacemakers who in the face of danger have answered the call with great love courage and hope we gather here today to honor and remember our sister police officer Ella French by naming this street in her memory we thank God for her [16:53](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=1013) unwavering courage and the hope she inspired in all of us, even in the face of unimaginable adversity. Officer Ella French gave everything in the name of peace, making the ultimate sacrifice, heroically giving her life while serving the people of our city, our state, our country. We also pray for Elizabeth, Ella's mother, and for her brothers, Andrew, [17:24](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=1044) Christian, Julian, and Michael, we pray for Officer Carlos Yanez and Officer Joshua Blas, Ella's police partners, as well as Ella's extended families and friends. May the ever-loving God of mercy and the consolation be with you always. Merciful God, allow us to always keep Officer Ella French in our hearts and minds, to always honor Ella's courage and service with love. [17:54](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=1074) Let us never forget, let us always remember, Police Officer Ella French, we ask all this in your most holy name, for you live and bring forever and ever. Amen. You may be seated. Ladies and gentlemen, at this time, I would like to introduce the Mayor of our city, Mayor Brandon Johnson. [18:35](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=1115) Thank you. Good evening, everyone. Good evening, everyone. It is really an honor to be here today as we stand in the remembrance of Officer Ella French. I'm grateful to everyone who's here today, has come together to honor Officer French's life and her impact on our city. Thank you to Alderwoman Monique Scott, Alders Chico and Rodriguez are also here, [19:07](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=1147) Superintendent Larry Snelling to Commander Altamaria Anno got it and of course Reverend Rafael Yanez Officer Carlos Yanez Jr. Detective Joshua Blass and the entire Chicago Police Department and of course to Mrs. French and to your sons and to the entire city of Chicago I especially do want to thank the French family for being here today [19:41](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=1181) It is an honor to uplift your daughter's memory alongside of you I believe that those who are gone are never truly gone When we speak their names When we share their stories When we share their stories, it lights up rooms But it also lights up lightens up our lives. We remember Officer French by sharing her stories and by continuing to thank her for her dedication and her service as a police officer in this fine city. [20:13](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=1213) She lived with courage, selflessness, compassion. Officer French dedicated her life, dedicated her life to making a difference in ours. I have no doubt that her memory and the difference that she has made will long live all of us. Her goodness has had a ripple effect throughout our entire city. Today as we rename this city, this street, the street in sign of her honor so that all of Chicago can keep Officer [20:48](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=1248) French in their hearts and minds, it will be a constant reminder of the bravery and the sacrifice that she made. I pray that this is a symbol that serves as a lasting tribute, a tribute of love and gratitude and an enduring respect for Officer French. But I also hope that this is a sign as a source of pride and strength for the Chicago Police Department, the detectives, lieutenants, commanders, all who carry on Officer French's service, may we all strive to live with the deep [21:24](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=1284) compassion and dedication of Officer French. I do want to take a moment again to sincerely thank and acknowledge the hard work of the Chicago Police Department. Our city cannot be the safest, most affordable big city in America without your dedication. So we thank you. We thank all of you And on behalf of the people of Chicago, we admire and we adore and we appreciate your service. As we continue to pray for the French family, and remember Officer Ella French, [21:59](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=1319) understand that the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guide our hearts and our mind. Through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the resilience and the mission to serve and to protect our city will always be the act of holy and godly perseverance. And so may Officer French's memory be a blessing to all of us. May her spirit live on in the greatest frequent city in the world, the city that she loved, the city of Chicago. [22:30](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=1350) Thank you very much. Thank you, Mary Johnson. At this time, I would like to introduce Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department, Larry Snelling. Good evening. Good evening. Come on, let's let Ella hear you. Good evening. Good evening. [23:01](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=1381) Very good. First of all, let me just start by thanking everyone who's here. Thank you, Mayor Johnson. Thank you, Alderwoman, Onique Scott, for making sure that this happened. This means a lot to our officers, and I know it means a lot to Ella French and her family and Mom Elizabeth just can't say enough about everything that you've done. would light the line, your organization, and I keep your coin on my desk. Thank you for the challenge coin. [23:34](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=1414) Thank you to the 10th District and Commander Altamirano for making sure that he is serving the community in the most professional manner. The thing that Ella French would have done, thank you to my command staff. Thank you to the Cook County Sheriff's Department for being here and support, and every other police agency that's out here to support, and all of our other supporters. [24:08](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=1448) Ms. French, I would just ask you to look around and just look at all the love and support that Ella brought about. Thank you for being here to support. First thing I'd like to start off is talking about the night that this occurred. Now, I'm not going to go through the details. That's not what we're here for. We're here to remember how great Officer Ella French was. [24:39](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=1479) But I have to talk about her partners who were there with her. Detective, now Detective, Josh Blass. who acted heroically, making sure to apprehend the individual who committed this atrocity. And just the resilience and the bravery of Officer Yanez, who was there that night, catastrophically injured, and fought his way through. [25:15](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=1515) The level of resilience is just unmatched. And I tell this story all the time. I remember talking to him while he was in the hospital, recovering, and I asked him how he was doing. Now, let's think of what that injury was. Shot in the head. And what he said to me was, I'm fantastic. He said, I'm surrounded by family and people who love me. That was an amazing thing to hear that particular night. [25:49](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=1549) And it taught me something. That when you think that you're having a bad day, you're really not. And even on his worst day, he still found something to be hopeful about. That shows you what greatness that we have in our officers. Ella French, I remember when I was the commander of Englewood, which she and her team worked in Englewood a lot. I remember getting a call from a community activist. [26:24](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=1584) And what he said to me was this. He said, my 11-month-old nephew was shot in the head. And one of your officers came on the scene and without hesitation rushed that baby to the hospital. And because of that, his life was saved. That officer was Officer LaFrench. Speaking to the doctor, if she hadn't gotten the baby there quickly enough, that baby would not have survived. [27:04](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=1624) That's who she was. But there was another side of that. Because even the most dangerous, most violent individuals, she was willing to go after to make this city safer. So not only did she go after the bad guys, and she was tough enough and strong enough to go after the bad guys to take the worst of the worst off the street so that they didn't harm other people. She was also gentle enough to save the life of a baby. [27:37](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=1657) So what I would say to everyone here and all of our officers who go out every single day and put your lives on the line, you never know if you're going to return home. Ella did not know that night. But what I would tell every officer here is be more like Ella. Be more like Officer Ella French. Be tough enough and strong enough to go after the most dangerous, but have enough empathy [28:14](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=1694) and be gentle enough to save the children because that's who she was and that's what you represent in law enforcement every single day. Anyone who would have spent one single moment with Ella French, I don't care what their beliefs were, to know who she was and what she did. I don't care if you're the most staunch [28:46](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=1726) police defunder or abolitionist. You couldn't help that once you had a conversation with her to understand how important she was and how important each and every one of you are when you're out there saving lives. She stepped up, she went out, and she put her life on the line because she wanted to make every one of us safe. [29:17](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=1757) She did her job with integrity and respect. She was the best of the best and the best that we had to offer. So remember this. Each and every time that you walk into 26th and California to go up and testify for someone who has committed a violent act against someone in our city. You will have the spirit of one of the greatest police officers [29:50](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=1790) right with you as you walk through those doors. So every single time that you walk here, know that you're walking through the spirit Thank you. Ella French and everything she represented. So once again, who we are, oftentimes it's based on what we do. How do we treat each other? You know how I would like for us to treat each other? [30:21](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=1821) The way Officer Ella French treated people. Let's learn from who she was. Let's learn from what she represented let's learn what it is that we do every single day and respect each other for it let's look at who officer ella french was and still is to this day because i can feel her spirit right [30:53](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=1853) now there's power here right now i feel it with the family so when you walk in this building remember who she was and if you remember who she was you will always remember who you are let's think about our why why do we do the job why do we go out and put our lives on the line why do we do this at times where we think no one cares because you care and if you don't care [31:25](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=1885) that hurts everyone but i know that you care because i see the work that you do each and every day but remember this when you're at your most down moment when you think nobody cares about you ask yourselves one question what would officer ella french do ask yourselves that question and if you know who she is if you know what she represents you will pull yourself out of that [31:55](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=1915) darkness. Because that's what she represented. You are the best of the best. Without you, without you, there are people the most vulnerable would suffer. That's who we're here for. We're here to stop people, good people, from being harmed. That's what you do every day. Let's remember that each and every day that we go out. Let's think about our fallen. [32:26](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=1946) mrs french i want to thank you for all the work that you do working with our gold star families being at every event seeing you in dc dancing around making people feel happy around you even in their most down moments you bring joy to everyone around you thank you for doing that And thank you. Thank you for giving us your best. That was the ultimate sacrifice. It really was. We think about our resilience and how we respond. Let's think about Officer and Detective Blasch. Let's think about Officer Yanez. [33:09](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=1989) that was one night that none of us will ever forget because i was there and we will never forget her so i would just like for everyone to repeat after me loud and clear officer ella french end of watch 7 august 2021 and she will never be forgotten [33:46](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=2026) And she will never be forgotten. Thank you everyone for being here. Thank you to all of our officers who go out there every single day to keep our city safe. Ella French is smiling down on you right now at this very moment. Thank you. Thank you, Superintendent. [34:19](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=2059) Again, I will stress it is an absolute honor to represent the men and women of the 10th District today. So I'd like to say a few words on their behalf. On this very beautiful day in which we get to honor a very beautiful young woman, I'm sure there's a lot of memories, a lot of moments that you guys are thinking of that you shared, that you were able to formulate with Ella throughout your career, throughout the time you had with her. And I'm sure it invokes a lot of emotion. And that is good. It's good to have that emotion, to have those memories, to have those moments. and like the superintendent said every single day that somebody comes to court that they walk by 26 [34:54](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=2094) in california they'll see her name and it'll invoke more emotion but that That's how she continues to live, to live through those memories, to live through those moments. That's how we continue to keep people alive. So that is good. And today, again, as we honor her, we remember what she stood for. All the things that she stood for, like courage, unwavering, commitment, selflessness. These are all the things that she embodied, that we ask our officers to embody every single day. [35:27](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=2127) characteristics that the police department looks for when they look for men and women that put this uniform on. You hear the student superintendent always speak about in order for you to be an exemplary officer you have to first be an exemplary human being. I've heard him say it time and time again. He's absolutely right and the reason why Ella was such an amazing officer was because of what she provided and what she brought forward to humanity and how she represented it. Ella was the kind of human being that society needs. The kind of human being that our society is begging [36:00](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=2160) for, that they need more of. We don't have to look too far in her life to see who she was and what she stood for when she became a Cook County Sheriff and then a Chicago Police Officer. That's an individual who's selfless, who looks beyond themselves to help others. And again, that is what our society needs more of. But that is also what our society needs to cherish more of. They need to care about them more and think about them more. [36:31](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=2191) Officers put their uniform on every single day, leave their homes, tell their loved ones they love them, not knowing if they're going to come back the next shift. But they do it every single day. And right now, we have officers answering jobs in this district, blocks from here, to ensure the safety of our citizens in this great city. So what I'm going to ask of you is this keep them in your thoughts keep them in your prayers more importantly what i'm going to ask of you today in a way of honoring ella if you have somebody that you haven't called [37:02](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=2222) and told them that you love them do so today on the way home when you get home tell them that you love them tell them that you care about them remind them why you do what you do because you never know if it's going to be the last time do that for me please again on behalf of the men and women of the 10th district it's an absolute honor to be here to represent them i'd like to take this moment because i just said i'm asking you to do something right i appreciate everything that you do i love you guys thank you for everything you do every [37:40](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=2260) single day ladies and gentlemen we're coming close to the end of our ceremony may god bless this city. May God bless you, and may God always bless members of the Chicago Police Department. Thank you. At this time, we're going to have some very special speakers. First is going to be Mrs. Elizabeth French. Please come on up. Good afternoon to everyone. It's so hot. I hope this [38:44](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=2324) is short enough. I want to thank every single one who is here today for this ceremony. it means so much to me you will never know it just means so much to me when I was told that there was going to be a street dedication in Ella's honor I was asked what street I would like to have her name on it and at first I kind of drew a blank because whatever street I picked [39:14](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=2354) I knew I wanted that street to have a meaning I wanted my choice to be meaningful Then an idea popped into my head. I wanted it to be somewhere around 26th and California, if possible. Turns out that it was possible. Several people have asked me why 26th and California, and that's where the meaningful part came in for me. Ella began her career in law enforcement as a Cook County corrections officer and worked at what is known as 26th and California. [39:49](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=2389) Turns out that this location is located in the 10th district of the Chicago Police Department. That was Ella's district. So for me, this choice of location brings Ella's law enforcement career full circle. Ella learned and grew as a person during her time as a corrections officer. I saw a deepening of her respect and compassion for others. As a Chicago police officer, she continued to learn [40:22](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=2422) and to grow, but more importantly for me, she brought her respect and compassion for others to the streets of Chicago as she worked to keep the communities a safer place to live. I am so proud of her, and I am deeply honored that she has been chosen to have a street dedicated to her. There are so many people to thank today. I know I'm going to miss some of them. [40:58](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=2458) I want to thank all the women and men of the Chicago Police Department and the Cook County Sheriff's Department for helping Ella to hone her skills as a law enforcement officer. Thank you to Alderman Scott for helping to make this happen. Thank you to Layla from the 10th District and all of those that helped her for making this day possible. Thank you to Special Activities for all of your support and encouragement. There are so many people here. I could be here all day thanking [41:30](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=2490) people for everything that you have done. But finally, I cannot go without saying to the women and men of the Chicago Police Department and the Cook County Sheriff's Department that you and the difficult work that you do are so very much appreciated. Thank you for being there for us. Be safe, be well, and God bless. At this time, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to introduce [42:04](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=2524) Officer Carlos Inez, Jr. Thank you. I'm going to keep this short because everyone said so much about Ella. And Elizabeth, you spoke beautiful. First, thank you to all the people and individuals that made this possible. I'm truly blessed to be a part of this event where Ella is being honored in such a beautiful way. And every time I come into these doors, I'm always thinking of Ella, but I'm going to look up at that sign, and her strength will give me strength. [42:39](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=2559) And I truly, from the bottom of my heart, am so thankful to all of you that made this possible. And to the officers and the deputies, please be safe always. God bless you all. Please go home at night. Hug your loved ones and tell everybody you love them like you. At this time, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to introduce Detective Joshua Blas. I also, as everyone said previously, having Ella's sign here is the perfect choice. [43:24](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=2604) I've always considered the 10th district my home. It's where I've started working. It's where a lot of my family had come through, and it's where I started working with Ella. When I first met her here, by chance, we were put together, and we got along, and we ended up working together and really quickly became good friends. she talked about her time in county a lot and she loved both jobs she loved being an officer and having it here now as a detective coming in and out of court a lot I'll get to see the sign [44:02](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=2642) and think of her as Carlos said I am always thinking of her too but the sign is nice reminder and for everybody to see so thank you for everybody who had a hand in setting this up And thank you all for being here. [45:27](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=2727) Okay, ladies and gentlemen, this is the time where we're going to be unveiling the sign. So, Mrs. French, if you can follow and whoever you are going to bring with you, please follow Sergeant Ruiz. [50:51](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=3051) Let us pray. As the mayor said and the superintendent said, the spirit of Ella is here. She made a smile. Let us pray. Loving God, may this street, known now as Honorary Officer Ella French, be a place where forgiveness and compassion flourish. May he remind us of the power of service, hope, and the importance of standing together with faith. Bless this street. Bless her family and bless all who live and walk here that they may be inspired [51:26](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=3086) by her example to live with courage and a commitment to building a better community. Gracious God remind us daily as we pin our start of our own oath to love and serve with a pure heart a good conscious and sincere faith just as our sister Ella French did while she served on earth. [52:33](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=3153) Gracious God, give us courage to conquer our own fears in the face of danger, strengthen our body to protect others, and strengthen our spirit to lead our families, our children, and our newer officers. Officer Ella French, our sister, we ask that you intercede for us, pray for us. All merciful God, watch over us Protect our peacemakers from the harm and the performance of their duty [53:04](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI?t=3184) But most importantly, bring them home safely to their families And may the blessing of God descend over you Over your families and partners And remain with you forever We ask all this in your most holy name For you live and reign forever and ever Amen Sources and methods: [how we get and count this data](/about#methods) · [report an error](/about#corrections) --- Source: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wptCMsHuLzI · Chicago Politics, an independent tracker of the Chicago City Council. Guide for agents: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/llms.txt