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Police Officer Ella Grace French, Star #15013, aged 29 years, was a 3 year, 3 month, 22 day veteran of the Chicago Police Department, assigned to the 10th District – Ogden and detailed to Unit 716 – Community Safety Team (CST).

On August 7, 2021, at 9:08 p.m., Officer French was on duty at 2234 West 63rd Street working with her partners Carlos A. Yanez, Jr. #16022 and Joshua Blas #14751. The officers observed n SUV with expired registration and conducted a traffic stop. The vehicle contained three occupants; Emonte Morgan, age 21, Eric Morgan, age 19 and a female, age 21. Eric Morgan was driving the car, while the female was in the passenger seat and Emonte Morgan was in the back seat. There was open alcohol in the car and the female wasn’t wearing a seatbelt. Officer French had Eric Morgan give her his car keys; he then told her he had cannabis, and French told him to get out of the car. The other officers ordered the other two to step out. Emonte Morgan exited the car with a drink in one hand and his cellphone in the other. He refused to put them down and jerked his arms away from the officer. At this point Eric Morgan fled on foot with Officer Blas giving chase. As Officer Blas pursued Eric Morgan, Officer French began to struggle with Emonte Morgan and they moved from the rear of the SUV towards the front passenger side of the car. It was at this time Emonte Morgan produced a Glock 17, 9mm, semi-automatic firearm from his waistband and shot Officer French one time at point blank range. Emonte Morgan then fired again striking Officer Yanez. At this point Officer Blas had caught Eric Morgan and was attempting to put him in handcuffs. Hearing the gunfire he stopped and returned to the scene to find Emonte Morgan standing at the rear of the car. Emonte fired at Officer Blas who then returned fire, striking Emonte Morgan, and fell to the ground. As Officer Blas stood back up he observed Eric and Emonte Morgan meet up across the street, exchange the firearm, and begin to flee the scene. Officer Blas returned to the car to locate his partners and discovered they had been shot. He immediately radioed for help and a perimeter was established. Responding officers were able to locate Emonte Morgan and Eric Morgan was tackled by two citizens as he attempted to cut through a yard. The two citizens held him down until police arrived and the firearm was also recovered nearby in the yard.

Officer French was shot once in the back of the head and was transported to the University of Chicago Hospital by responding officers where she was pronounced dead. Officer Yanez sustained three gunshot wounds; two in the head, one round exiting the right eye and the other lodging in the back of his head, and the third round striking his right shoulder. He was transported to Mount Sinai Hospital by responding police where he was treated and later transferred to the University of Chicago Hospital and admitted to the ICU. Officer Blas was uninjured and taken to Holy Cross Hospital for observation. Emonte Morgan sustained two gunshot wounds, one in the abdomen and the other in the left bicep, and was transported to Christ Medical Center by CFD Ambulance #8.

Emonte Morgan and Eric Morgan were placed in custody and arrested at the scene. The third female offender fled the scene and made good her escape, she was later identified, located and arrested the next morning on August 8, 2021. The Glock 17 used by Emonte Morgan was recovered at the scene and inventoried. On August 9, 2021, Emonte Morgan was charged with 1 count of 1st Degree Murder, 2 counts of Attempted Murder and 1 count of Unlawful Use of a Weapon by a Felon. On August 9, 2021, Eric Morgan was charged with 1 count of Unlawful Use of a Weapon by a Felon, 1 count of Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon with a Prior Conviction and 1 count of Obstruction of Justice. The Glock 17 was traced and it was learned that it had been obtained through a straw purchase. The weapon was purchased by Jamel Danzy, age 29, of Hammond, Indiana from a firearms dealer in the same city. Danzy then transferred that weapon to Eric Morgan knowing he was not legally able to purchase a firearm. On August 9, 2021, Danzy was charged by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Knowingly Transferring a Firearm to an Out of State Resident and Knowingly Disposing of a Firearm for a Convicted Felon. It was also learned through investigation that the SUV the three had been driving in was registered to Danzy.

Officer French was waked at St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel, located at 7740 South Western Avenue. Her funeral mass was held at St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel. She was cremated and entombed on August 21, 2021 in Queen of Heaven Cemetery, 400 South Wolf Road, Hillside, Illinois.

Police Officer Ella Grace French, born August 31, 1991, received her Probationary Appointment to the Chicago Police Department on April 16, 2018. She attended the Jackson Street Police Academy and was issued Star #15013 on October 26, 2018. Officer French earned 1 2019 Crime Reduction Ribbon, 15 Honorable Mentions and 1 Emblem of Recognition for Physical Fitness during her career. Prior to joining the Chicago Police Department, Officer French was a Corrections Officer for the Cook County Sheriff’s Department.

Officer French was survived by her mother, Elizabeth and brothers: Andrew, Christian, Julian and Michael.

Incident Recorded under Chicago Police Department RD #JE329873 and JE330037.

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Patrolman Philip Thomas Romano, Sr., Star #221, aged 33 years, was a 0 year, 10 month, 16 day veteran of the Chicago Police Department, assigned to the Motorcycle Division.

On May 3, 1942, Officer Romano, was on duty chasing a motorist for speeding. He was riding Northeast on Forest Preserve Drive when his motorcycle crashed head on with a car driven by Raymond Gustafson, age 25, of 5958 West Grace Street. Mr. Gustafson was coming from the opposite direction and began to turn left onto North Olcott Avenue coming directly into the path of Officer Thomas. Officer Romano struck the front end of the car and was ejected from his motorcycle. He was still conscious after the crash and while at the hospital reported to fellow officers the story of chasing the speeder who made good his escape. Officer Thomas was transported to Belmont Hospital where he was pronounced dead on May 3, 1942.

Officer Romano was laid to rest on May 7, 1942 in Mount Carmel Cemetery, 1400 South Wolf Road #4, Hillside, Illinois. His grave is located in Lot 16, Block E, Section Y.

Patrolman Romano Philip Thomas, Sr., born November 19, 1908, received his Probationary Appointment to the Chicago Police Department on June 17, 1941. Prior to joining the Department he served as a State Highway Policeman and a Cook County Deputy Sheriff – Bailiff.

Officer Romano was survived by his wife, Inez Pearl (nee Jett), age 33; children: Clara Pauline, age 11, Elizabeth Ann, age 6, Mary Phyllis, age 13, Philip Thomas, Jr., age 8 and Virginia Henrietta, age 14; father, Isidoro; step-mother, LaVinia (nee Rason); siblings: Carmella Ziglar, Ignatius Robert, Isadore Andrew, Jean Virginia, Lillian Santa Gott, Joseph, Mary Magnus, Samuel and step-sister, Cora Ellen Eicholz. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Patricia J, age 0 months and mother Vincenza (nee Abborino).

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Sergeant Francis “Frank” Joseph McGraw, Star #232, aged 49 years, was a 19 year, 11 month, 19 day veteran of the Chicago Police Department, assigned to the 17th District – New City.

On May 6, 1942, Sergeant McGraw was on duty and killed in a futile attempt to pull Mrs. Hilda Nelson, age 62, of 8111 South Carpenter Street, from the path of an oncoming truck. Sergeant McGraw and Mrs. Nelson were crossing Ashland Avenue near the intersection of 82nd Street. An auto driven by Ben Demorst, age 41, of 9558 South Sawyer Avenue, Evergreen park, slowed down for them. Mr. Demorst’s auto was then struck in the rear by a truck and trailer driven by Robert Trueax, age 26 of Mishawaka, Indiana. As a result, the truck jack-knifed toward another truck driven by by Alfred Thiebault, age 41, of 6147 South Kenwood Avenue. Thiebault was driving alongside and swerved away, striking a street car which was discharging passengers. As the truck careened off the street car, Sergeant McGraw attempted to pull Mrs. Nelson out of the way, but the truck struck both of them. Both Sergeant McGraw and Mrs. Nelson were transported to St. George’s Hospital where they were later pronounced dead on May 6, 1942.

A coroner’s Inquest was continued to May 20, 1942

Sergeant McGraw was waked at the chapel located at 5908 South Kedzie Avenue Street. His funeral mass was held at Little Flower Catholic Church located at 8000 South Wood Street. He was laid to rest on May 9, 1942 in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, 6001 West 111th Street, Alsip, Illinois. His grave is located in Grave 3, Lot 46, Block 5, Section 22

Sergeant Frank “”Frank”” Joseph McGraw, born June 16, 1892, received a Temporary Appointment, #842, to the Chicago Police Department on August 25, 1919 and was issued Star #1922. He received his Probationary Appointment to the Chicago Police Department on June 8, 1922 and was issued star #812. On October 13, 1928 he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and issued Star #219. On June 17, 1930, he was returned to the rank of Patrolman and reissued Star #812. On July 1, 1938, he was once again promoted to the rank of Sergeant and issued Star #232. He earned 1 Credible Mention and 2 Extra Compensations for Meritorious Conduct totaling $420.00 during his career. He was cited for serving in the 1919 Race Riots from August 25, 1919 thru September 13, 1919. Prior to joining the police department he worked as a Custodian Bailiff.

Sergeant McGraw served in the U.S. Army from September 22, 1917 to March 22, 1919 in 86th Infantry Division, 172nd Infantry Brigaed, 333rd Machine Gun.Battalion, Company A. and was Honorably Discharged at the rank of Farrier Private. He was also a member of the Chicago Police Post No. 207 American Legion. Sergeant McGraw was survived by his wife, Beatrice (nee Durkin), age 45 and Daughter, Mary Margaret, age 7. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Infant McGraw, age 0 months.

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Patrolman Charles A Hibsch, Star #4348, aged 54 years, was a 25 year, 1 month, 17 day veteran of the Chicago Police Department, assigned to the 28th District – Austin and detailed to Auto Patrol No. 46.

On November 9, 1947, at 2:50 a.m., Officer Hibsch was on duty directing traffic at the scene of an auto fire at Grand and Kildare Avenues. While directing traffic he was struck by an auto driven by Clarence Jason, age 26, of 4350 West Wilcox Street. Officer Hibsch was transported to St. Anne’s Hospital where he was pronounced dead on November 9, 1947.

Clarence Jason was arrested and held to a Coroner’s Inquest. It was learned that Jason had visited several taverns prior to the crash. On November 10, 1947, a verdict of accident was returned during a Coroner’s Inquest.

Officer Hibsch was waked at a chapel located at 2500 North Cicero Avenue, his funeral was also held at the chapel. He was laid to rest on November 13, 1947 in Acacia Park Cemetery, 7800 West Irving Park Road, Norridge, Illinois.

Patrolman Charles A Hibsch, born October 23, 1893, received a Temporary Appointment, #682, to the Chicago Police Department on August 8, 1919 and was issued Star #859. He received his Probationary Appointment to the Chicago Police Department on October 30, 1922 and was issued Star #3649. He was cited for serving in the 1919 Race Riots from August 8, 1919 thru September 13, 1919.

Officer Hibsch was survived by his wife, Elizabeth M. McGraw (nee Lawrence), age 49; children: Amalia V., age 29 and Henrietta F., age 28; siblings: Dorothy Tonning, Joseph, and William and ex-wife, Amalia (nee Weissmuller), age 47. He was preceded in death by his parents: Albert E. and Elizabeth (nee Brinkman) and sister, Rosa.

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Patrolman Patrick Daniel Beckham, Star #5283, aged 35 years, was a 8 year, 7 month, 25 day veteran of the Chicago Police Department, assigned to the 25th District – Fillmore.

On February 27, 1936, at 1:00 a.m., Detective Beckham was off duty at the Playmore Cafe located at 3824 West Madison Avenue. The bartender, James Lambert of 214 South Campbell Avenue, and the manager, Charles Vito of 3862 West End Avenue, were preparing to close for the night. Mr. Vito informed Frank McNally (aka Frank Gillespie), a recent parolee from the Joliet Penitentiary, the cafe was closing and he was asked to leave the premise. McNally then went to the bathroom, where he remained for several minutes, and returned with a gun in his hand, announcing a holdup. McNally then ordered the three men into the washroom. Officer Beckham was the last to enter the washroom and waited until McNally’s attention was diverted. He drew his handgun and ordered McNally to drop his gun. McNally now recognized Beckham to be a policeman, cursed him and then opened fire. Beckham was shot twice, once in the left shoulder the other in the left arm. Officer Beckham was able to return fire, striking McNally four times, three times in the abdomen and once in the jaw. McNally died of his wounds a short time later on scene. Officer Beckham was transported to West Side Hospital where he had an operation to remove the bullet from his shoulder. He would later succumbed to his wounds from complications on October 13, 1936. He had not been able to work after being wounded by gunshot.

Officer Beckham was waked at Martin Brothers Funeral Home located at 3150 West Harrison Street. His funeral mass was held at Resurrection Church. He was laid to rest on October 16, 1936 in Mount Carmel Cemetery, 1400 South Wolf Road, Hillside, Illinois. His grave is located in Grave 2, Lot N9, Block 11, Section 25.

Patrolman Patrick Daniel Beckham, born June 18, 1901, received his Probationary Appointment to the Chicago Police Department on February 18, 1928 and was issued Star #5056. On November 19, 1930, he was issued Patrolman Star #5283 after reporting his previous star missing. He was awarded the Tribune Hero Award for February of 1936 as a result of this incident. When Officer Beckham was informed about the Hero Award he stated; “There isn’t much to say about the shooting. Even though I was off duty, I felt it my duty to stop that holdup. As a matter of fact I didn’t even realize i was wounded until after it was all over.”

Officer Beckham was a member of the Chicago Policemen’s Benevolent & Welfare Association. He was survived by his wife, Mary Loretta (nee Daly), age 31 and children: Mary Loretta, age 12 and Patricia Ann, age 3; parents: Daniel (CPD) and Mary (nee Airey) and sister: Mrs. Thomas Toomey.

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