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2021 NATIONAL FOP BIENNIAL CONFERENCE REPORT
Raising Their Voice
Words of inspiration for Chicago come through loud and clear at National Conference
n BY MITCHELL KRUGEL n PHOTOS BY BOB BAIKE
No voice reverberated through the 2021 National FOP Biennial Conference in In- dianapolis Aug. 16-20 louder than Illinois Deputy Sheriff CCSO Lodge 357 member Balvina Ranney. When Ranney stepped up to the microphone to address the nearly 4,000 members in the Indianapolis Con- vention Center on Day Two of the confer- ence – a day when Florida Governor Ron DeSantis made a special guest appearance to jump-start an apparent campaign for president – she was the one who brought the house to a blaring silence. And tears.
Cook County Deputy Sheriff Ranney is the Lodge 357 secretary and the cousin of Chicago Police Officer Carlos Yanez. She had prepared a message for the conference, but emotions got the best of her. Finally, as Chicago Lodge 7 President John Catanzara stood behind Ranney and steadied her with his hands on her shoulders, she blasted the most encouraging and resonating words of the conference.
“We have made a GoFundMe page for Carlos and his family. Please, share the page and you can see updates of his im- provement and how willing he is,” Ranney communicated as her voice climbed the octaves to a fever pitch. “Please share to show officers that, you know what, there’s some good in this world. We are a family of law enforcement, and we will not stop until things are changed for our officers and es- pecially the officers of Chicago and Illinois. We pray for the very best of recovery and respect. And we pray for the honor of Offi- cer Ella French.”
National President Pat Yoes started the week by declaring at the conference open- ing ceremonies that the FOP is the largest voice of law enforcement. But so many of the words stirring this year’s conference fo- cused on Chicago Lodge 7.
The largest FOP lodge in the order in- spired much of the emotion and fraternal- ism that elevated this conference to a spe- cial event. Of course, much of that had to do with what happened to Officers Yanez
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Cook County Deputy Sheriff Balvina Ranney, the cousin of Chicago Police Officer Carlos Yanez, makes an emotional address to the National FOP Conference with Chicago Lodge 7 President John Catanzara providing support.
Chicago Lodge 7 honors Officer Ella French as an honorary delegate. Her uniform and hat were draped over a chair next to President John Catanzara throughout the conference.
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