Medical examiner’s office contradicts Lori Lightfoot’s claim that COVID protocols prevented full tribute for fallen officer Ella French

The statement reads:

"Protocols for processions at the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office have not changed since the pandemic began. First responders have always gathered in the office parking lot and dock to pay respects to fallen police officers and firefighters.

"Early Sunday morning, police officers gathered in the parking and dock area as usual and bagpipers accompanied the body of Officer Ella French through the parking lot to the dock. At no time did personnel from the Medical Examiner’s Office try to impede officers or bagpipers."

Officer Ella French, 29 years old and with an infant child at home, was killed during an a heated gunfight stemming from a simple traffic stop. Her partner was also wounded, has been hospitalized, and remains in intensive care as of the time of this writing. Two brothers have been charged with her murder.

Lightfoot had previously stated, according to the Chicago Sun-Times:

"Mayor Lori Lightfoot says the decision not to allow the honor guard/bagpipes at the morgue after the shooting death of Officer Ella French was due to COVID-19 protocols set by the medical examiner, and it was not a decision made by First Deputy Eric Carter."

Carter was heard (and recorded) telling people assembled from Chicago's Emerald Society to give the traditional bagpipe sound-off to French

"We don’t have 20 minutes for this s**t. We’re not waiting on the bagpipes. Go ahead and get the vehicle inside. Take it all the way inside. Do not stop."

It has also been noted that Lightfoot herself recently attended the massive music festival Lollapalooza, indicating that she doesn't feel such "COVID-19 protocols" are necessary for her herself to follow.