PO Yanez shot and paralyzed during traffic stop.

We are all still in disbelief of the incident that occurred on Saturday, August 7th, 2021, and what Chicago Police Officer Carlos Yanez, Jr., P.O. Joshua Blas, and his late partner P.O. Ella French endured. The physical harm done in addition to the psychological trauma everyone is experiencing should never have happened.

During this incident, Carlos suffered from multiple gunshot wounds to the eye, brain, and shoulder all causing potentially lifelong disability. In turn, we suspect home modifications, accommodations, and transportation needs to increase accessibility and quality of life. He had so much of his face and eye socket fractured during this incident, but thankfully that has been surgically repaired. 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.

Officer Carlos Yanez, Jr goes by many names. Carlos, Chuck, Junior, Nino, Yanez, Chico, Cheekaladinos. Anyone that knows Carlos, will say what an amazing human being he is. He is just so genuine. We all know him as a strong, hard-working and good-hearted soul. He was ALWAYS on the GO and ALWAYS willing to help family, friends and strangers alike. Carlos is a loving husband to Brenda and adoring Father to his almost 3 year old son CJ. As an officer he cared deeply for the district he served. He loved to do physical work, exercise, play with his son on his time off and he loved to dance. Once he hit the dance floor the party officially started. To see him with paralysis of 3 limbs and loss of an eye is unnatural and heart-breaking. We are hoping with extensive therapy, hard work, and prayers he will see a successful recovery to get back to what he loves.