RICHMOND, Ind — The city of Richmond will honor fallen Richmond Police Ofc. Seara Burton with a special ceremony next month.
The city announced Friday the Chester Boulevard Bridge over Interstate 70 will be officially named in Burton's honor at the ceremony on Aug. 14.
"This bridge naming serves as a permanent tribute to her bravery and the ultimate sacrifice she made for our community," the Richmond Police Department said in a release. "By naming the bridge after Officer Burton, we aim to keep her legacy alive and remind everyone of the profound difference one person can make."
Burton was shot while assisting officers with a traffic stop the evening of Aug. 10, 2022. She was taken to the hospital in "extremely critical condition" with a gunshot wound to her head. Burton was taken off life support a few weeks later and died on Sept. 18, 2022.
The man accused of shooting Burton, Philip M. Lee, was found dead in his prison cell on June 6 as he awaited trial for the shooting.
The Richmond Police Department is encouraging the community to attend the Aug. 14 ceremony and pay their respects to Burton.
"Your presence will be a powerful demonstration of our collective gratitude and recognition of Officer Burton's heroism," the department wrote.
"As years pass, when people cross over that bridge and see that name, it will give them reason to see the promise that she made to our community to serve without fear and the ultimate sacrifice that she made for her service," Richmond Mayor Dave Snow said in January 2023, when a resolution to rename the bridge passed an Indiana House committee.
Burton served four years on the Richmond police force and had achieved her dream of becoming a K-9 handler shortly before her death.
The ceremony honoring Burton is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Aug. 14, 2024, at the Police and Fire Training Center at 1740 S. 8th St. in Richmond. Sen. Mike Braun (R-Indiana), Rep. Greg Pence (R-Indiana), State Senator Jeff Raatz (R-District 27) and State Rep. Dr. Brad Barrett (R-District 56) are expected to speak at the ceremony.