Chicago mourns policewoman Ella French who died after West Englewood shooting; 3 suspects in custody

CHICAGO (WLS) – Chicago continues to mourn Officer Ella French, 29, who was killed during a traffic stop in West Englewood on Saturday night as her partner remains in hospital after being shot.

Flags across the city fly to half the staff. Police said two suspects were being questioned by police and a third was in stable condition at Christ Hospital.

Police said the three suspects were arrested during a routine traffic stop on Saturday night near 63rd Street and Bell Avenue in West Englewood. It was at this time that police said they exchanged gunfire with community security officers, including Constable French.

French joined the Chicago Police Department in 2018 after previously working with the Cook County Sheriff’s Department.

French is Chicago’s first female police officer killed in the line of duty since 1988. It is also the first time that a CPD agent has died in the line of duty since Mayor Lori Lightfoot took office. .

“A mother lost her daughter last night,” Mayor Lightfoot said. “A brother, his sister. A family broken forever. Another continues to watch over a hospital bed, sending powerful prayers but arguably fearing the worst.”

Officer French’s brother also shed light on who his sister was. in a statement to the Chicago Tribune, he said, “She’s my sister, she’s my little sister. And as much as I was there for her when we were young, she was there for me. And I was proud of her, I’m still proud of her … God had the wrong child. “

Meanwhile, the family stays by the bedside of Officer French’s partner as he continues to fight for his life.

The officer, who remains in intensive care, has been in post since August 2014. Friends say he is 39 years old and married with a young son.

Sources tell the I-Team that the injured officer has three gunshot wounds: one came out of an eye, one lodged in the back of his head and one hit his shoulder.

“I ask Chicago to put their arms around our police officers today and encourage them to continue their great work to protect us all,” said Superintendent David Brown.

WATCH: Mayor Lightfoot and CPD speak out after 2 officers were shot

The pastor of his church had a moment of silence for him during the Sunday service, adding that he loved the community he served.

“The father, I was saying to him, ‘you need to rest,'” New Life Community Church pastor Mark Jobe said. “He said, ‘No, I’m going to stay here as many days as it takes and not leave my son.'”

He went on to say that the officer loved the community where he was shot, “had a real heart for the community, for the people.”

WATCH: CPD Officer 1st woman shot dead in the line of duty since 1988

“It wasn’t a homework assignment where he felt stuck in this area. He really loved this place and has an amazing wife and little boy,” Jobe said.

Police said officers were carrying out a traffic stop with a third officer on South Bell, in which shots were fired by both those in the vehicle and CPD officers.

Authorities said two men and a woman were inside.

At one point, someone inside the SUV shot at the police, who retaliated, injuring the gunman, police said.

“As a preliminary matter, we believe the passenger in the vehicle is the offender who shot the officer,” Brown said.

Police also recovered a gun from the scene and said none of the suspects had a significant criminal history.

Footage from two nearby security cameras shows the scene after the attack, as first responders arrive.

This is the 27th time a Chicago cop has been shot this year and the 11th time a cop has been shot.

Irma Ruiz-Collins understands the loss all too well.

“There is an immediate feeling of terror, of not doing it again, of shock, of sadness,” she said.

Named after her mother, Irma Ruiz-Collins is the daughter of Chicago police officer Irma Ruiz, who was shot and killed in front of a gunman at a West Side school in 1988.

WATCH: CPD officer 1st woman shot dead in the line of duty since 1988

Until Saturday, Ruiz was the last female officer to be killed in the line of duty.

“Your daughter was there to serve and protect. And now she will be able to do it for you, not in the physical sense, but in the spiritual sense. And know that many, many people are thinking of you. And we love you. pray for you, ”Ruiz-Collins told the French family.