CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The funeral for Chicago Police Officer Ella French, whose life was taken from her while making a traffic stop nearly two weeks ago on the South Side, will be held Thursday. The funeral mass is at the chapel at St. Rita High School on 77th and Western.
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Meanwhile, Officer French’s wounded partner remains hospitalized with a long road to recovery.
Officer Carlos Yanez Jr. suffered gunshot wounds to the eye, brain, and shoulder, during the same traffic stop in West Englewood where his partner Officer Ella French was shot and killed.
According to a GoFundMe campaign, Yanez Jr. has paralysis of three limbs and loss of an eye.
The sister of Officer Carlos Yanez Jr. posted Wednesday on Facebook that her brother’s sentences are getting longer. Sometimes his voice gets a little louder and his mood improves when he can twitch a muscle.
The Yanez Family released video footage Wednesday of him recovering in the hospital.
"Thank you for your support and your donations and your prayers. I love you all," Yanez said in the video. "To my son CJ and my wife Brenda -- I do this all for you."
Yanez is then seen blowing kisses to the camera at the end of the video.
The family said Carlos is a loving husband to his wife Brenda and adoring father to his almost 3-year-old son CJ.
At a vigil this week, his father, retired Chicago Police Officer Carlos Yanez Sr., spoke about the last time he spoke to his son. It was Saturday night, just before the shooting.
"He said, ‘I love you, Dad.’ ‘Alright, I love you, son.’ Then, 20 minutes later, I get that call," Yanez Sr. said.
He added that he is grateful for the third partner of his son and Officer Ella French.
"Josh, the 3rd Officer, Blas, believed saved my son in responding the way he did and got Ella as fast to the hospital, and Junior as fast to the hospital as he could. My brothers in blue and sisters," Yanez Sr. said.
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Officer Yanez’s sister said her brother is grieving the loss of his partner, Officer French, and said Thursday will be very hard for all of them, as she is laid to rest. She said her family is sending strength and love to Officer Ella French’s family and loved ones.