INDIANAPOLIS — April 9, 2021 marks one year since IMPD Officer Breann Leath gave her life serving the community. The spirit of the young IMPD officer lives among the scores of officers she worked with.
"Bre shares a special place of honor with those brothers and sisters that have gone before her," IMPD Chief Randal Taylor told the crowd.
On Friday morning, the Maternal Child Health Unit at the Indiana Women's Prison was rededicated as the Leath Unit.
"Thank you for trusting us to share the legacy of Breann for generations to come," said Dr. Kristen Dauss, chief medical officer for the Indiana Department of Corrections.
Her family is grateful.
"A year ago we lost a significant part of our heart. It was rough," said Jennifer Leath, Breann's mother. "But this year everybody standing by us and comforting us and helping us through this horrific emotional roller coaster."
The reality series "Born Behind Bars" featured Leath's work with the Wee Ones Nursery at the prison. According to the DOC website, the nursery is a voluntary program for pregnant offenders who meet certain criteria for participation.
Those interviewed in the video say Leath truly cared about the babies and their mothers in the nursery.
"Officer Leath was a true example of an officer dedicated not only to safety and security of the prison infant unit, but also exemplified the goal to help incarcerated women become good mothers before leaving prison by making the IDOC mission her mission." Indiana Women's Prison Public Information Officer Maggie Bryant said. "All of us who knew Breann were heartbroken over her senseless death and want her family and IMPD coworkers to know Breann will not be forgotten."
Officer Leath was also remembered in a special IMPD East District roll call at Crown Hill Cemetery's Heroes of Public Safety section. Officers Leath worked with on city's east side and others, belonging to "Women Behind the Badge" participated in the solemn grave side ceremony.
Jennifer Leath spoke to the police officers about the impact of her daughter's tragic death.
"It put a ginormous hole in our heart and in our family. She went out doing what she wanted to do from the beginning," she said. "It was important for her to make a difference and I think in her death she absolutely has done that."
Leath's fellow officers paid tribute by coming together to spray paint "B-231," her unit number. They left sunflowers, which were Leath's favorite, and also painted personal messages, saying they loved and missed her.
Leath was a mother and just 24 years old when she was killed April 9, 2020. She and three other officers were responding to a domestic violence call when she was shot. She had been with IMPD for more than two years at the time.
In her honor, IMPD launched the LEATH Initiative in conjunction with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Indiana. LEATH stands for Law Enforcement Action to Halt domestic violence against men, women and children.
The LEATH Initiative will target domestic violence offenders who commit crimes with illegally owned guns. Those who have a misdemeanor domestic violence conviction, are the subject of a final protective order, or have a state or federal felony conviction will be at the center of the investigations.
The LEATH Initiative will also work to support victims of domestic violence. Officers will connect domestic survivors and witnesses with social services in their communities to help.