Eric Carter, the Chicago Police Department’s second in command, tried to stop a department honor guard escort of fallen officer Ella French’s body from Cook County Hospital to the county medical examiner’s building Sunday, sources confirm to Chicago City Wire.
“We’re not going to be waiting on the bagpipes,” Carter told honor guard officers and paramedics. “Take it all the way inside (of the medical examiner’s building). Do not stop.”
The Chicago Police Honor Guard includes members “specifically trained and uniformed for ceremonial services,” according to a 2017 CPD special order. They are charged with performing all honors services for officers killed in the line of duty.
Carter eventually relented and let the bagpipes play, but said to “speed it up.”
“This ain’t going to be 20 minutes,” Carter said. “Take it (French’s body) to the coroner.”
Carter, 53, has been on the Chicago Police Force since age 24. He was elevated to 1st Deputy Superintendent in August 2020.
Officer French was shot and killed during a traffic stop at 63rd and Bell in Chicago’s West Englewood on Saturday around 9 p.m.
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