Richmond Police Department announced shortly after 11:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18, in a statement noting “profound sadness” that Officer Seara Burton died at 9:59 p.m. at Reid Health in Richmond.
Burton was surrounded by her family as she has been for the past five-plus weeks since her injury.
Burton, a Northeastern High School graduate who became a K9 officer earlier this year, was shot in the head while assisting with a traffic stop on Aug. 10 in the 200 block of North 12th Street.
A statement from Chief Michael Britt and Majors Jon Bales and Aly Tonuc said that Burton “succumbed to the injury she received in a criminal act.”
On Monday, RPD and multiple other agencies will escort Burton’s remains back home from Dayton. The escort is set to leave the Dayton area at 1:30 p.m.
The escort will make its way onto I-75 North from Dayton and onto I-70 West. Once the escort reaches Richmond it will follow U.S. 40 from the interstate to North 5 th Street (passing Burton’s police car at the city building) and then onto East Main Street and back to U.S. 40 to Doan & Mills Funeral Home at 790 West National Road, Richmond.
Those who wish to show their support for Burton and RPD are urged to find a safe location along the route. Vehicles should not stop or park along the interstate.
Funeral arrangements are pending and will be announced when details are available about tributes for Burton.
The trio asked that the community respect the family’s privacy during this difficult time.
“The family is extremely grateful for the massive amount of support from the community,” the police statement said.
“Please join us in keeping Seara and her family in our thoughts and prayers,” the statement said.
RPD leaders said they sincerely wanted to thank the Richmond community, and those who have supported Burton, her family, and RPD from near and far.
They thanked “all of those who have shown unbelievable support,” such as Dayton Police Department, Indiana State Police, Indiana State Fraternal Order of Police, Richmond Fire Department and Wayne County Sheriff’s Department, as well as many other agencies.