Homeless ‘Gave Everything They Had’ to Honor Memory of Fallen Virginia Officer

One day, a stranger walked into a police station, holding a used white envelope with four words written on it. He handed it to the information clerk and refused to give his name. It turned out that the envelope had something very touching inside.

Seara Burton was an officer in the Richmond, Indiana, Police Department in Virginia. She was a well-respected cop with a sweet spirit and a shining personality, loved by her family, friends, and colleagues.

On Wednesday, August 10, 2022, Burton, 28, was responding to help fellow officers when she was reportedly shot at a close range during a traffic stop. According to sources, she was taken to the hospital in critical condition and later placed on life support.

A Tragic Incident

On Sunday, September 18, Richmond Police Chief Michael Britt shared the heartbreaking news of Burton’s death. According to the authorities and the slain cop’s family, she was taken off life support on September 1 and transferred to hospice care on September 3.

The entire police department began looking for the man, hoping to find his name and where he came from.

Officer Burton suffered the unfortunate incident less than two weeks before her wedding day. She passed away five weeks after the shooting, surrounded by her family and friends.

A Lovely Soul

In the face of the heartrending tragedy, Burton’s fiancée, Sierra Neal, was said to have shown tremendous strength. She described Burton as an incredibly strong and beautiful person and considered herself fortunate for knowing her.

Neal said she was proud of Burton and would always love her. In an official statement, Chief Britt thanked everyone for their immense love and support and requested them to respect the late officer’s family’s privacy.

Following their beloved officer Burton’s demise, the Richmond Police Department said they planned to return her K-9 partner. The authorities revealed that her K-9 Brev would be entrusted to her mom and stepmom.

Richmond Police Officer Seara Burton | Source: twitter.com/CBSSunday

A White Envelope

Burton’s demise was a huge loss for her loved ones. Her family and friends were still reeling from her irreparable loss when they learned something astonishing. At her funeral, Richmond Police Lieutenant Donnie Benedict shared an extraordinary story from September 1.

On that day, he said a stranger walked into the police station with a white envelope in his hand. Lieutenant Benedict said the man refused to give his name and handed the envelope to the information clerk, Charlotte Jones.

The envelope had four words written on it: “People from the Street,” and had eight crumpled $1 notes inside. Lt. Benedict said the man only accepted a hug and insisted on no other reward or recognition.

Honoring Her Memory

Before leaving, the stranger told the officers that Burton was a kind-hearted person who often checked on the homeless. So, when he heard about her death, he gathered donations from people on the streets. Lt. Benedict expressed:

“They gave that knowing they don’t know if they’re going to have another dollar tomorrow. That is as genuine as you’re going to get. I mean, that $8 was like $8 million.”

The entire police department began looking for the man, hoping to find his name and where he came from. But one thing was clear — he represented the homeless Richmond community that had virtually nothing to give but was touched by Burton’s warm and caring spirit.

Kindness Begets Kindness

Lt. Benedict said the anonymous donor’s act of kindness spurred a chain reaction, with many people rallying behind Richmond’s homeless population. One of those was resident Amber Conley, who said she made a personal call for donations on Facebook. She shared:

“They gave everything they had and they don’t even know where their next meal is coming from.”

Richmond Police Lieutenant Donnie Benedict | Source: twitter.com/CBSSunday

An Amazing Gift

Talking further about the heart-melting incident, Benedict said it highlighted the impact Officer Burton had on the community she served for four years. He said the department decided to frame the gift instead of depositing it into the late officer’s fund. Lt. Benedict added:

“That ninth dollar that is in this frame represents now the first dollar of the next dollar that will be given in honor of Seara.”

Gone but Never Forgotten

Sources said the Richmond community collected enough donations to fill a whole room in the fire station. The donated items included coats, blankets, water, tents, and more.

When the news reached Burton’s family, her stepmother, Officer Ami Miller, said she was not astounded. She added that she hoped people would not forget her lovely stepdaughter and everything she stood for.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the late Indiana cop’s family, friends, and everyone she inspired with her kind and generous nature.