After three weeks in critical condition, Richmond Police Officer Seara Burton will be taken off life support Thursday, Sept. 1, police announced Wednesday evening.
“Despite the very best efforts of all the doctors and nurses at Miami Valley Hospital, Officer Seara Burton’s injuries have been determined to be unrecoverable,” according to a statement made by Richmond Police Department Chief Michael Britt and Majors Jon Bales and Aly Tonuc.
“Seara will live on and continue to be a hero with her selfless gift of organ donation,” the statement read. “Officer Burton will continue to serve others long after her passing.”
Final arrangements for Burton will be released in the coming days.
Burton’s family wanted to include the community in sharing Wednesday’s update, the trio said.
Burton was transported to the trauma center in Dayton, Ohio, after being shot in the head during a traffic stop in the 200 block of North 12th Street in Richmond.
Hundreds of residents gathered on the Richmond Municipal Building lawn for a prayer vigil two days after the shooting. Thousands of yard signs have been placed around the county, along with an Interstate 70 billboard, to wish Burton well in her recovery.
Numerous fundraisers have been conducted, raising tens of thousands of dollars to help Burton’s family with unexpected expenses.
One fundraiser was planned for Wednesday evening, an auction to be conducted via Facebook Live by Luxe Lizzie’s Boutique, a Richmond store owned by Lori Branum Troutwine, the daughter of late RPD Chief Jim Branum.
The auction is to start at 6 p.m. online at https://www.facebook.com/events/522506866310596
“The incredible outpouring of support has been truly heartwarming,” RPD’s statement said.
Britt, Bales and Tonuc asked the public and media to respect the family’s privacy at this time. They said the chief’s office would release more information once it becomes available.