Some Chicago Officers Turn Backs to Mayor at Hospital Treating Critically Wounded Comrade

Lightfoot tried to talk to the male officer’s father, who himself is a retired Chicago police officer. The father reportedly excoriated the mayor and blamed her for what had happened.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot was given the cold shoulder by some Chicago police about midnight Saturday at the University of Chicago Medical Center after the shooting of two officers.

Officer Ella French was shot and killed during a traffic stop Saturday night in West Englewood, while her partner continues to fight for his life at the hospital. Three people are in custody.

Lightfoot tried to talk to the male officer’s father, who himself is a retired Chicago police officer.

The father reportedly excoriated the mayor and blamed her for what had happened, one source told the Sun-Times.

Lightfoot also tried to say a few words to nearby grieving officers, but as she approached, “they did the about-face — it looked like it had been choreographed,” said one of the sources present, calling it “astounding.”

Officers no longer support Lightfoot’s leadership, FOP President John Catanzara said.

In a statement released Monday afternoon, the mayor’s office said in part: “The mayor was present at the emergency room to offer support and condolences to the families involved and the hundreds of line officers and exempts who were there, which she did. In a time of tragedy, emotions run high and that is to be expected. The mayor spoke to a range of officers that tragic night and sensed the overwhelming sentiment was about concern for their fallen colleagues.

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