“My brother will dance with his family again. Please pray for that specifically. For his brain to heal and for him to be the dancing King he has always been.”
Chicago Police Officer Carlos Yanez, Jr, continues to fight his way back from three gunshot wounds that left him critically wounded on August 7. His partner, Officer Ella French, was killed by the same gunman.
In daily updates for friends and supporters, Yanez’s sister has tracked his progress and surgeries. This week, unaware of everything that happened during that fateful Saturday night traffic stop, he asked about French.
“It was really hard but we were advised ahead of time by the clinician to be honest,” his sister wrote.
Yanez is still unable to move his legs and one arm, she said Tuesday. One bullet lodged in his brain. One of his eyes was lost.
“Hopefully he is medically clear for acute rehab by end of week,” she wrote Tuesday. “That’s where the magic will happen.” His diet, restricted to liquids and applesauce for more than a week, now includes eggs.
“Carlos thinks about Ella French and in waves it hits him. He is grieving for her family,” his sister wrote today. “He is sad for her dog. At one point he said, ‘get better for both of us’ and ‘dog-lover.'”
“We are sending strength and love to Officer Ella French’s family and loved ones. Today and tomorrow will be very hard for all of us.”
Yanez’s family is preparing for the road ahead. They’ve launched a GoFundMe to pay for modifications to his home and transportation needs.
“We remain hopeful for a miraculous recovery but have to prepare for what’s to come. We will always pray for the stability of the blood vessels of his brain. Most importantly, we remain with our hearts full of gratitude that he is in fact alive,” Evelyn Gamboa and Nicole Yanez said on the campaign’s page.
They’ve raised $159,194 as of Wednesday morning. They’re hoping for $250,000.
“For many years Carlos always talked about how he wanted to live in Englewood. He always spoke of the children. Their innocence and how he wished he could bring some of them home. He said they deserved an environment free from so much gun violence, physical/sexual abuse, and neglect.”
Yanez’s own son with wife Brenda, 3-year-old CJ, was born with craniosynostosis and has ongoing therapy needs of his own, according to the GoFundMe page.
“During Carlos’ time of recovery so much more will be on Brenda’s shoulders financially, physically, and emotionally. We created this GoFundMe page because we want to support Officer Carlos’ family from all angles.”
A memorial service for French will be held today, with funeral services Thursday.
