On this episode of “Behind the Badge,” we remember Ella French, a Chicago police officer killed in the line of duty in 2021. Ella’s mother, Elizabeth French, and officer Carlos Yanez Jr., who was shot alongside Ella, joined host Garry McCarthy to share memories of her life and the kind of person she was — both on and off the job. Yanez and Ella’s mom now help cop families cope with trauma through the “Light the Line” nonprofit.
“Behind the Badge” is hosted by former Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy in partnership with Fox 32 Chicago. McCarthy, who began his law enforcement career with the NYPD, is now the police chief in Willow Springs, Illinois. Beyond breaking down the latest crime trends and the policies that shape strategies, McCarthy and seasoned law enforcement officials share what it really means to wear the badge—revealing both the challenges and rewards of serving on the front lines.