'We don't have 20 minutes for this s**t': Chicago Police deputy wouldn't allow body of fallen cop Ella French, 29, to be carried past traditional bagpipe procession and officers were not allowed to ceremonially draw their weapons
A former top police official has slammed the Chicago Police Department after it was revealed that a 'sacred' ritual was skipped after the shooting death of Ella French over time concerns.
Garry McCarthy, the department's former superintendent, told Fox News that officers 'feel under attack by politicians' after French's body was taken directly to the medical examiner's office for her autopsy without a guard of honor.
He claimed they avoided drawing their weapons to honor their fallen colleague - as is tradition - over fears they'd have to file a report for doing so, as part of new police reform laws.
French, 29, was shot dead and her partner was critically injured during a routine traffic stop on Saturday.
After her death, First Deputy Police Supt. Eric Carter - the department's second-in-command - demanded the Chicago Fire Department ambulance carrying her body to head straight for the medical examiner's office, bypassing a bagpipe procession.
'We don't have 20 minutes for this s**t,' Carter can be heard saying on a recording obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times.
'We're not waiting on the bagpipes. Go ahead and get the vehicle inside. Take it all the way inside. Do not stop.'
Garry McCarthy, the department's former superintendent, said officers 'feel under attack by politicians' after French's body was taken directly to the medical examiner's office
Chicago Police Officers are seen saluting in respect for Ella French after her death on Saturday
Officers with the Chicago Police Department are pictured in front of an American flag after Ella French's shooting death
Chicago police officers turned their backs as Mayor Lori Lightfoot tried to approach them during a vigil held at the University of Chicago Medical Center following the shooting of two police officers
The Emerald Society, an Irish-American fraternal organization for members who most often come from law enforcement, had gathered outside the medical examiner's office to play ceremonial bagpipes for her final send-off.
Chicago police and other officials worked swiftly to arrest three suspects after French's death, though charges have not yet been filed.
French was the first Windy City officer to be fatally shot in the line of duty in almost two years, and the first female cop shot to death in the line of duty since 1988.
Still, McCarthy blasted the department for skipping the procession - which he called an 'inexcusable' affront to cops in the city, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.
'The officers here in CPD and probably across the country … feel under attack by politicians and the public. Most of them feel like they're not being supported by their leadership,' he told Fox News.
He added: 'It's so important, the sacred nature of rituals, certainly within policing.'
'If there's an excuse for what happened, then maybe, you know, Eric should talk about it publicly himself,' he said.
Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7 President John Catanzara walks out of the Leighton Criminal Courthouse after the bond hearings for two brothers charged in connection with the fatal shooting of Chicago Police Officer Ella French on Tuesday
Norfolk Southern Special Agent Hugo River prays at the memorial for Chicago police Officer Ella French on Tuesday
Chicago police officers walk into the Leighton Criminal Courthouse to attend the bond hearing for Emonte Morgan, charged in the fatal shooting of Officer Ella French on Tuesday
McCarthy told Fox News that officers also did not draw their weapons, as traditionally practiced after the death of a colleague. He blamed the skipping of that tradition on possible police reform measures.
'That's probably the result of a policy that was put in place for every time you draw your weapon, you have to do a report about it. Policing is entirely under attack, and that's why we have a 100% increase in the murder rate,' McCarthy said.
McCarthy indicated to the Chicago Sun-Times that there would have been enough time for the autopsy and investigation to continue if Carter had not ordered the process to be sped up.
'There's always enough time. Let's put it that way. If we had to wait two or three days, I would have done it,' he said.
Eric Morgan is pictured during the traffic stop in the new body worn camera footage
The Morgan brothers were said to have been driving with expired license plates, prompting police to pull them over
Now, he told the outlet 'it would be a stretch' to think that rank-and-file officers would want to get behind Carter in the future.
David Brown, the Chicago Police Department's current superintendent, has not yet provided comment about the medical examiner incident.
However, a spokesperson for Brown told the Chicago Sun-Times he had 'no comment beyond reminding you of what an emotionally difficult and painful night that was - and continues to be - for everyone involved.'
Brown previously served as Dallas Police Chief when the Texas city faced a horrific ambush on its police department in 2016 - then the deadliest incident for law enforcement since the 9/11 attacks.
Micah Xavier Johnson shot dead five officers and injured nine others, while also wounding two civilians on July 7, 2016. Brown had received widespread praise for leading the Dallas Police Department through that tragedy.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot backed Carter's decision and said he was following rules designed to stop the spread of COVID-19 imposed by the medical examiner
Chicago Police Supt. David Brown gives an update and answers questions during a press conference at the Chicago Police Headquarters on Sunday
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot backed Carter's decision and said he was following rules designed to stop the spread of COVID-19 imposed by the medical examiner and wanted to ensure that French's family was not delayed, WTTV reported.
'There was no official honor guard that night,' Lightfoot said during a press conference.
'There was - let me choose my words carefully - well-meaning but not well-organized group that wanted to hijack the procession, which would have meant that the family would have been delayed exponentially in getting to the morgue.'
When leaving the University of Chicago Medical Center on Saturday, cops gathered to support French and her partner turned their backs on her as she approached.
Funeral arrangements for French have not yet been made known.
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