RICHMOND, IN — The Richmond, Indiana community came together Friday night to pray for Richmond Police Officer Seara Burton.
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She is still in critical condition at Miami Valley Hospital after being critically injured following an officer-involved shooting Wednesday night.
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Police Chief Michael Britt said on Facebook the best way for people to support Officer Burton is to pray for her and they did that Friday.
They joined together in song and prayer for Richmond Police Officer Burton.
“It’s been tough. We’re hopeful,” said Larry Berry, Officer Burton’s Great Uncle. “We do need a miracle, we need an absolute miracle.”
Hoping for a miracle is what brought people of all ages to Richmond’s city building for a prayer vigil.
“We just pray this going to be the answer,” Robin James of Richmond told News Center 7′s Brandon Lewis.
“My prayers are going out for her and then they’re for her no matter what,” said Christina Bowers. “I know she can fight it, and I know she can be back here on the police force the way it should be.”
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People wrote messages of well wishes on posters, lit candles, and grabbed each other’s shoulders as they thought of Officer Burton.
“She didn’t deserve this at all,” said Brandy Bunger. “It’s tearing me up.”
“I always see her at the store. I always went up and talked to her,” Josh Bowers told Lewis. “She was a pretty good cop. She did not deserve to be shot like that.”
Larry Berry, Officer Burton’s great uncle, told Lewis the support his family this week has been overwhelming.
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He described Seara as sunshine and is proud of the woman and officer she’s become.
“She was a great kid, just a great kid,” Berry said. “You all out here were lucky to have such a girl near you in the community.”
Several people were at the Richmond city building Friday afternoon and early evening picking up signs with Officer Burton’s face on them.
A woman told Lewis she dropped off food to the department earlier in the day.