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NORWOOD PARK — The Far Northwest Side police community will host a fundraiser this weekend to support officer Carlos Yanez Jr., who was shot three times this summer during a traffic stop that killed his partner, Ella French.
The Saturday fundraiser begins 3 p.m at Teasers Pub, 7123 W. Higgins Ave., and will include food, entertainment, a raffle, local vendors and giveaway prizes. Organizers ask for a $25 donation at the door with the option of a cash bar or a wristband package. All of the proceeds will go directly to Yanez.
Yanez’s family will host another fundraiser 5-8 p.m. Sunday at West 55th Street bar, 4201 W. 55th St.
Alds. Anthony Napolitano (41st) and Nick Sposato (38th) and 16th Police District Lt. John Garrido Jr. are sponsoring the Northwest Side event alongside the bar owners and Law and Order PAC.
“This weekend, we are stepping up for our brother, Carlos Yanez Jr., who has a long road to recovery ahead of him,” Garrido said.
At last week’s Rock the Badges charity event and music show at Six Corners, Garrido honored French and read a letter written by her mother to the crowd.
Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club ChicagoYanez has been recovering since the Aug. 7 shooting in West Englewood, which caused paralysis to three of his limbs and the loss of one of his eyes.
Thousands of mourners honored French, 29, at her funeral Aug. 19.
Yanez marked his seventh anniversary with the Police Department last month with a public video thanking the community for their support and donations. He is in therapy and is progressing slowly but well, according to the Facebook page his family created to share updates about his recovery.
Yanez’s sister and sister-in-law also launched a GoFundMe last month to help with medical expenses and money for his family. It exceeded its goal of $350,000 by raising more than $359,000.
“Anyone that knows Carlos will say what an amazing human being he is,” his family wrote. “He is just so genuine. We all know him as a strong, hard-working and good-hearted soul.”
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