Indiana police officer dies weeks after she was shot during traffic stop

RICHMOND, Ind. — An Indiana police officer who was shot during a traffic stop last month has died from her injuries, authorities said.

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According to WHIO-TV, the Richmond Police Department announced that Officer Seara Burton died shortly before 10 p.m. Sunday, five weeks after she was critically wounded in the Aug. 10 shooting.

“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. She succumbed to the injury she received in a criminal act that occurred on August 10th, 2022,” read the release, which the department shared on Facebook.

“Final arrangements are pending and will be announced when the details are available. Please join us in keeping Seara and her family in our thoughts and prayers.

“We would sincerely like to thank the Richmond community, and those who have supported Seara, her family, and the Department from near and far. Thank you to all of those who have shown unbelievable support throughout this very difficult time including the Dayton Police Department, The Indiana State Police, Indiana State Fraternal Order of Police, Richmond Fire Department and Wayne County Sheriff’s Department, as well as many other agencies.

“The family is extremely grateful for the massive amount of support from the community. We kindly ask that you respect the family’s privacy during this difficult time.”

Burton, 28, had been scheduled to marry her fiancée, Sierra Neal, on Aug. 19, WHIO reported. Instead, Neal honored the couple’s love in a solemn ceremony in the hospital. A video shared in an Aug. 20 TikTok post shows Neal, clad in her wedding dress and veil, walking toward Burton’s hospital bed, according to WHIO.

“This walk was supposed to look a lot different, but I will always be thankful we still got to celebrate,” Neal captioned the post. “Even if it is not legal on paper, you are my wife. I love you Seara.”

The now-viral video has received more than 1.1 million likes.

Police apprehended the man accused of shooting Burton, 47-year-old Philip Lee, who initially faced attempted murder and drug charges in the incident, WFFT reported. Lee also suffered gunshot wounds and spent weeks in the hospital before he was booked in Ohio’s Montgomery County Jail, according to WHIO.

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