Patrolman Seara Burton died nearly six weeks after being shot while assisting other officers with a traffic stop.

   Those officers had observed a suspected drug transaction at a nearby detached garage and were detaining a subject riding a moped. Patrolman Burton was requested to have Brev, her K-9 partner, conduct a search of the vehicle.

   While being questioned, the man drew a weapon and aimed directly at the officers, striking Patrolman Burton in the head at close range. Both the other officers returned fire and wounded the suspect before apprehending him after a brief foot pursuit.

   Patrolman Burton was transported to Reid Health before being airlifted to Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, Ohio in critical condition where she remained unconscious. She was transferred to a hospice facility on September 3 and later died at Reid Health.

   The 47-year-old convicted felon was charged with murder, two counts of attempted murder, unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon and possession of methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin with a habitual offender enhancement.

   In June 2024, he was found alone and unresponsive in his cell at the Pendleton Correctional Facility having died by suicide while awaiting a death penalty trial.

   Patrolman Burton had previously served with the Wayne County Sheriff's Department as a jailer for one year. She was survived by her fiancée, Sierra Neal; mother and stepmother, Jennifer and Ami Miller; two sisters; grandparents, Jan Statzer, David Monger, Jacque Burton and Matt Burton; and her canine partner, Brev.