A well-loved police officer of the Richmond Police Department has fallen and the community is in mourning.
The late Richmond Police Officer Seara Burton was laid to rest a little more than a month since she was shot in the head after a traffic stop on August 10, 2022. The Richmond Police Department in Indiana and the local community were shocked and devastated.
They loved Officer Burton.
“If you were lucky enough to truly know her, then, like me, you’re a better person for it,” Allison Compton, Officer Burton’s best friend, said.
Allison Compton and Officer Burton grew up as best friends along with Detective Mariah Copeland, who said that Officer Burton was a loving and sensitive person.
“We all had our struggles, but it didn’t matter what Seara was going through, she always made time to talk,” Muncie Police Department Detective Mariah Copeland shared. “I couldn’t have asked for a better friend.”
Mayor Dave Snow, who administered her oath as a police officer, was devastated as well. He remembers Officer Burton as a passionate and positive individual.
“She made a commitment of her time, talent, and passion to this career and this city, and for that, we owe her a debt of gratitude,” Mayor Snow declared.
Richmond Police Department Chief Mike Britt wished he could hire more Seara Burtons.
“She could be an effective form of police officer when she needed to be, and she was incredibly considerate. She was the pinnacle,” Chief Britt said.
During her funeral, many locals came to pay their respect to Officer Burton, who was nice, always had a smile on her face, and left a good, lasting impression on people.
Even the homeless community loved and respected Officer Burton.
In fact, they loved her so much that they were willing to give what they had for her.
Richmond Police Lieutenant Donnie Benedict shared during Officer Burton’s funeral that they received an envelope a few days later labeled “People From The Street.” Inside the envelope were eight $1 bills, a donation from the Richmond homeless community.
This was a community that had nothing extra to give and yet they chose to commemorate a fallen officer they respected with what they had.
“There have been many valuable gifts given in honor of Seara. However none, and I mean none, are more valuable than the gift of 8 $1 bills in a dirty white envelope,” Lt. Benedict said. “What do you say to it? I mean it’s amazing that somebody decided to do that.”
And they decided to give back to them because that’s what Officer Burton would do.
Amber Conley, a local resident, posted on Facebook about collecting donations for the homeless. And within 12 hours, they received so many donations that it filled an entire room in the Richmond Fire Station.
There were blankets, coats, tents, water, and a lot of other items.
“Her mom told me that she would love this. She would love people helping people and reaching out,” Amber said. “Everyone feels so hopeless and I feel like now that unfortunately Seara is gone this is the best legacy you could every leave behind is people showing kindness to the other citizens in honor of her.”
Would you like to learn more about this selfless donation in memory of a fallen officer? Watch the video below.
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