An eastern Indiana police officer who was shot in the head during a traffic stop in August has died more than two weeks after she was taken off life support, authorities said.
Richmond Police Department Officer Seara Burton died Sunday night at a Reid Health facility surrounded by her family, the department said in a statement posted on Facebook.
"We would like to sincerely thank the Richmond community and those who have supported Seara, her family and the department from near and far," the statement from multiple officials said.
Burton was critically injured in the Aug. 10 shooting. The 28-year-old officer was transferred to palliative care two days after he was taken off life support on September 1 at a hospital in Dayton, Ohio.
Burton's remains were to be escorted out by Richmond police and other agencies from the Dayton area on Monday afternoon.
Burton was a four-year veteran of the department in Richmond, about 65 miles (105 kilometers) east of Indianapolis.
Prosecutors charged Phillip Matthew Lee, 47, with three counts of attempted murder, three counts of drug possession including methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin and possession of a firearm by a serious violent offender . He has pleaded not guilty.
Authorities have said officers took Lee into custody and called Burton to help with his police dog. The dog indicated the possible presence of narcotics. Court documents say that while the officers were talking to the bicyclist, he pulled out a gun and opened fire on the officers, shooting Burton. Other officers returned fire and he fled. Lee was taken into custody after a brief foot chase.
No other officers were shot.
Lee was treated for gunshot wounds, police said.
