(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — There’s a petition drive to re-name Chicago’s main animal shelter for fallen Police Officer Ella French, who was an animal lover, but officials indicated the touching idea is not likely to happen.
The petition drive on Change.org had more than 18,000 signatures to rename the Chicago Animal Care and Control shelter for French, who was fatally shot Aug. 7 during a traffic stop.
French was eulogized as an officer who would chase strays down the street so that she could take them to a shelter. One dog she even adopted.
The main challenge with the idea seems to be this: The shelter is already named for somebody.
"While renaming CACC's shelter for Officer French would be a touching tribute, the shelter's name already honors its first director, Chicago Police Officer David R. Lee,” a statement from the animal control agency said.
Mayor Lightfoot also was reluctant to commit to the idea pushed by the petition.
“I appreciate the enthusiasm of people that have signed this petition,” she said Monday. “And we’ll look into what other ways in which we can, as a city, honor Ella French and her sacrifice and service to the city.”
French was laid to rest last week.
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