ThinBlueNews remembers Police Officer Ella Grace French of the Chicago Police Department on the fifth anniversary of her End of Watch, Saturday, August 7, 2021.
The Officer Down Memorial Page records that Officer French died after she was shot while serving on duty during a traffic stop in Chicago. This anniversary remembrance intentionally avoids graphic details and centers her life, service and the enduring place she holds among Chicago's fallen officers.
Service to Chicago
ODMP records that Officer French was 29 and had served with the Chicago Police Department for nearly three and a half years. She was assigned to the Community Safety Team and was survived by her mother and brothers.
The Chicago Police Memorial Foundation's memorial record identifies her as Star 15013 and documents 3 years, 3 months and 22 days of service. It also records her Community Safety Team assignment, career commendations, the retirement of her star into the Superintendent's Honored Star Case in 2022, and the 2025 dedication of Honorary Officer Ella French Way.
Remembered in the city she served
On the third anniversary of her End of Watch, the Chicago Police Department and Chicago Police Memorial Foundation held a memorial roll call at the Gold Star Families Memorial near Soldier Field, according to ABC7 Chicago's archival report. That public remembrance reflected the continuing bond among her family, colleagues and community.
Five years after her death, this memorial is offered with respect for Officer French's family, loved ones, partners and fellow Chicago officers. An anniversary cannot measure a life by a date alone, but remembering helps preserve the record of service and sacrifice entrusted to a city.
On the fifth anniversary of her End of Watch, Police Officer Ella Grace French is remembered for her service, her courage and the lasting place she holds in Chicago.
End of Watch
Police Officer Ella Grace French
Chicago Police Department, Illinois
Star 15013
End of Watch: Saturday, August 7, 2021
Support the organization preserving officer memorial records
ODMP maintains the national memorial record for fallen law-enforcement officers and provides resources connected to fallen officers and their families.
Sources and image attribution
- Officer Down Memorial Page: August 7 line-of-duty death history
- Officer Down Memorial Page: Police Officer Ella Grace French
- Chicago Police Memorial Foundation: Police Officer Ella Grace French, Star 15013
- ABC7 Chicago archival report: memorial roll call for Officer Ella French, August 7, 2024
- ODMP donation page
Featured-image note: ThinBlueNews used the ODMP portrait of Police Officer Ella Grace French and added a restrained memorial design with visible source attribution. No synthetic likeness, generated officer portrait or representative incident image was used. ThinBlueNews does not claim ownership of the source portrait.
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