A Richmond police officer who was shot in the during an August traffic stop and was taken off life support earlier this month died Sunday.
Richmond Police Officer Seara Burton, 28, had been in critical condition at Miami Valley Hospital since she was shot in the head during an Aug. 10 traffic stop. She was taken off life support in early September after doctors determined her injuries were "unrecoverable." Once off life support, she continued to fight for her life and was moved to a hospice facility.
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"It is with profound sadness that we announce that Officer Seara Burton #140/K9-2 passed away at 9:59 p.m. tonight at Reid Health surrounded by her family," the department stated in a press release.
Final funeral arrangements are pending. Richmond police and other law enforcement agencies will escort her body from Dayton to Richmond on Monday afternoon, the department stated.
"Officer Burton took an oath to protect and serve Richmond without fear or favor; it was an oath she took seriously and paid the ultimate sacrifice to fulfill," Richmond Mayor Dave Snow said in a statement. "Officer Burton is a hero and an example to all of us for her selfless service and unshakable commitment to her duties as an officer of the Richmond Police Department."
Burton became a member of the Richmond police force in 2018. She graduated the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in 2019 and began working as a K-9 officer in April. She is the department's sixth officer to die in the line of duty.
