Richmond Police Department K-9 Officer Seara Burton receives a hero's sendoff

INDIANAPOLIS — In a New Zealand laurel tree's shade, Shayla Romero and her 4-year-old daughter, Jersey, waited Monday afternoon inside Crown Hill Cemetery for K-9 Officer Seara Burton's funeral procession to arrive.

Romero, who was born and raised in Richmond, then moved to Indianapolis at age 22, met Burton just once, when the Richmond Police Department officer pulled over a vehicle in which Romero was riding. That interaction, however, left an impression that compelled Romero to attend the committal ceremony for Burton, who died Sept. 18 after being shot in the head Aug. 10.

"She's just a really nice person," Romero said. "She did her job very well.

"It's very sad what happened to her. It's nonsense."

Romero said Burton was smiling, "super nice" and polite during the traffic stop. And, she didn't even write a ticket.

With family still in Richmond, Romero visits often, but she couldn't make it back for Monday's funeral service inside Tiernan Center. Instead, she and Jersey, who busied herself picking up leaves and flower petals, arrived early at Crown Hill's Heroes of Public Safety section.

"Because she deserves all the respect, all the respect she can get," Romero said of Burton. "I don't live far from here, so at least I could make it here to pay my respects."

When told about Romero's experience, RPD Chief Mike Britt said, "That's exactly the kind of officer Seara Burton was, the way she always was. She could be an effective form of police officer when she needed to be, and she was incredibly considerate. She was the pinnacle.

"I wish I had the opportunity to hire a lot more Seara Burtons."

During Burton's funeral, Lt. Donnie Benedict told about an envelope containing eight $1 bills left at RPD's information desk. The envelope was marked as coming from the city's street people. Homeless men collected the money and donated it for Burton's family because she would check up on them.

Stories such as Romero's and Benedict's relate what made Burton special. Family members and friends spoke during the funeral about Burton's kindness, loving nature, strength and determination, describing her as giving 100% to her profession and to her loved ones.

From the day Burton was shot during a traffic stop related to a narcotics investigation, those Burton swore to serve and protect had their own stories about the four-year officer, whether they knew her well or barely knew her at all.

Erika Martinez stood in a dark stretch along North 12th Street the night Burton was shot, watching police activity at the lighted scene. She said Burton, who was polite and understanding, would check on the single mothers and the children in the very neighborhood where she was shot.

During a prayer vigil two days later, Steve Martin and his 12-year-old daughter Morghan Martin talked about Burton's affection for a then-2-year-old Morghan when Burton worked serving pizza.

James Mastriano visited a Burton tribute area outside the Richmond Municipal Building the day Burton was taken off life support. A retired RPD officer, Mastriano only knew Burton from coaching middle school basketball together. He said the girls looked up to Burton and were curious about her police career.

Monica Koechlein was among a group that spent many evenings lighting and monitoring luminarias outside the city building. She found a sense of community among grieving members of the public who visited Burton's K-9 vehicle and a prayer board. Often, Koechlein said, they would share amazing stories about their experiences with Burton.

Following Monday's funeral, Burton's procession stopped near Burton's vehicle where the luminarias line the North Fifth Street sidewalk for Burton's final 10-42 end-of-watch radio call. The message by a Wayne County Emergency Communications dispatcher said Burton died Sept. 18 "following an incredibly strong and valiant, 39-day fight."

It also said Burton "demonstrated commitment, professionalism and dedication every moment of every day and proudly wore the badge as a warrior for her community. Thank you for your service Seara, your bravery and your commitment to your department and your profession as a K-9 officer."

The procession then followed about a 70-mile route along U.S. 40 to Indianapolis and Crown Hill. Britt said people lined the roadway and gathered in every town to honor Burton.

When the procession arrived at Crown Hill, 20 minutes were necessary for the public safety vehicles to pass the Heroes of Public Safety monument. They had come from all corners of Indiana and most of the area between, and included a variety of Dayton, Ohio-area agencies.

Bagpipes then sounded in the distance, growing nearer. A riderless horse with boots backward in the stirrups and Det. Scott Glover leading Burton's K-9, Brev, also preceded the hearse, which was flanked by RPD's Honor Guard. Brev then led the pallbearers carrying Burton's American flag-draped casket to its position near the memorial.

Following a 21-gun salute and playing of taps, the Honor Guard removed the flag from Burton's casket and folded it as the bagpipes played "Amazing Grace." Major Jon Bales presented the folded flag to Burton's mother, Jennifer Miller, and a second flag was presented to Sierra Neal, who was scheduled Aug. 19 to marry Burton.

Led by RPD's delegation, all officers and their guests placed white carnations with red spots onto Burton's casket. After Glover placed his carnation, he removed one from Brev's harness and placed it, as well. Burton's stepmother, RPD Officer Ami Miller, who was in uniform, then placed her carnation and saluted Burton.

Family members gathered privately a short distance from the memorial as Burton was interred.

"It was a proper sendoff for a hero, and I don't use that word lightly," Britt said. "She's a warrior."

Britt said that when the case accusing Phillip Matthew Lee, 47, of shooting Burton and firing at two other RPD officers goes to court it will show that Burton "was shot while charging at her attacker."

The Heroes of Public Safety ceremony concluded an emotionally taxing two days. Hundreds passed through the city building Sunday as Burton laid in state, and the general public and law enforcement filled Tiernan Center's lower level for the funeral service. In addition to those lining Monday's procession route, several dozen citizens joined the procession and attended the Crown Hill ceremony.

"The big thing is it was a wonderful sendoff for a wonderful officer, and it was done in a wonderful community," Britt said.