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Honoring Our Heroes
From left, Carlos Yanez Jr.’s first cousins Vivian and Jason Garza, aunt Sue Garza and uncle Ed Garza display the shirts made to support the in- jured officer.
Evelyn Gamboa, Carlos Jr.’s sister-in-law, would agree. She described how even while in rehab, Carlos Jr. pushes to be the best that he can be.
“He’s always been a go-getter,” Gamboa expressed. “He doesn’t like medication, but the doctor told him, ‘You have to stay on this medication unless you lose 43 pounds.’ And right before this, he met that goal.”
When Mancow Muller, the Chicago-based radio host of the famed “Mancow’s Mad- house” — who was reprimanded for his
Various shirts commemorating fallen officer Ella French were sold at Plumbers Hall, with funds go- ing to the officers’ families.
pro-police sentiments and quit — went on stage, he agreed with the elder Yanez. There was a belief that all the civilian oversight in giving in to people who wanted police re- form led to these officers getting shot.
“The good news is that good wins,” Man- cow declared. “You’re heroes. Don’t forget it.”
He told the crowd to “Say her name.” And they chanted. Ella French. Ella French. Ella French.
The chant brought the emotion of the
CPD Officer Jim Calace donated items from his personal sports memorabilia collection for a silent auction to help raise money.
night to a real high point. The final toast, to the accompaniment of “Amazing Grace,” enabled everybody to raise their glasses to the officer who gave her life to protect and serve, and the officer who risked his life to do the same.
The loss of French and the injury to Yanez Jr. will continue to ripple through the com- munity, and even the country.
But on this night it was truly cause for a toast.
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