What happened to the Richmond Police Officer? Explained

How did you meet Phillip Matthew Lee?

Phillip Matthew Lee, who is 47 years old, is charged with three counts of attempted murder, three counts of possession of methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin, and one count of possession of a firearm while a major violent felon. He said he was not guilty.

Police stopped Lee and asked Burton for help with his police dog, according to reports. The dog gave a signal that drugs might be present. Court documents say the rider pulled out a revolver and fired at the officers, hitting Burton. He fled when other officers started shooting at him. After a brief foot chase, Lee was captured.

No other police officers were shot. Investigators said Lee was taken to the hospital to be treated for gunshot wounds.

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Seara Burton was shot in a traffic stop days before her wedding (August)

Officer Seara Burton was shot nine days before her wedding. She is the city’s first female K-9 handler.

Authorities say an Indiana K-9 Officer who was shot in the head while on duty in August is still fighting for life even though he was taken off life support Thursday, nine days before his wedding.

Officer Seara Burton, who is 28 years old and works for the Richmond Police Department, is “still alive and surrounded by family,” Richmond Police Chief Michael Britt said in a statement Thursday.

Burton was shot in the head on August 10 while assisting police with a possible drug-related traffic stop. She is the city’s first female K-9 officer.

Phillip Lee was interviewed by the Richmond Police Narcotics Unit. During an operation on August 10, the Richmond Police Narcotics Unit allegedly found Phillip Lee, 47, stopped in a garage. This is what police told WTHR.

Police then stopped Lee in the 200 Block of North 12th Street. Burton and his dog, Brev, arrived on the scene at 6:30 pm, and he let Brev sniff Lee and the moped he was riding. Authorities said the smell of drugs in the open air showed there were drugs there, WXIX.

Phillip Lee pulled out a gun and started shooting

Lee allegedly pulled out a gun and shot Burton while police were talking to him, WXIX reports. Lee fled after the officers shot him.

Seara Burton is in very bad shape. Chief Michael Britt said in a statement on Aug. 18 that Burton, who has been with the department for four years and was a K-9 officer, was sent to Miami Valley Hospital in critical condition, where he is fighting for his life. .

Although his situation is still very bad, he wrote that there have been some good signs since Wednesday. “We are grateful to the doctors and nurses who are giving him the best care possible. The Department and the Community are still hoping and praying for his recovery.

But on Wednesday, Richmond Police broke the sad news that Burton’s life support would be turned off on Thursday.

Chief Michael Britt, Major Jon Bales, and Major Aly Tonuc said in a statement that his injuries were beyond repair.

In an update Friday, Chief Britt said, “Officer Seara Burton is still with us this morning, and her condition has not changed much since yesterday. “He is still not on life support,” he said. “We are monitoring the situation closely, and as things change, we will keep the public informed. She writes that Seera always shows how strong she is.

WIBC reported that Lee was injured on August 10 and went to court on August 19 via video from his hospital bed. That was the day Burton was supposed to marry his girlfriend, Sierra Neal.

WRTV says Lee has been charged with several drug crimes, illegal possession of a firearm by a major violent felon, and three counts of attempted murder. He said he was innocent in each case. A $1.5 million bond keeps him in jail. We don’t know if Lee has a lawyer who can stand up for him in court.

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Burton “You Are My Wife” visits her.

On August 19, Burton’s fiancee went to the hospital to see him. As she walked to her room, she was wearing her wedding dress.

Neal wrote in the caption for the TikTok video, “This walk must look very different, but I will always be grateful that we still have to celebrate.” “Even if it’s not official, I’m your wife. I love you Seara.”

According to Dayton 247 Now, police officers, medical staff, and Burton’s family and friends lined the hospital hallways Thursday as he was moved from the intensive care unit to the operating room for organ donation. .

Burton’s K-9 partner Brev, who survived the battle, took the lead. In the statement, the chief said, “One of our Investigators, who used to be a K-9 handler, is taking care of him now.” He is getting the best care possible and is in good hands.

“Seara will live and be remembered as a hero because he gave his organs to others without expecting anything in return,” Chief Britt said in a statement Wednesday. Officer Burton will still help people even after he is gone.

RICHMOND—Officer Burton is not afraid of danger, according to people who know him personally and professionally.

One of Burton’s friends told WRTV that he would run to help if he saw someone in trouble.

Burton and her fiancé, who is a firefighter in Ohio, are getting married next Friday, August 19.

Their friends called them the “all-American team.”

People who know Burton say all the support from the community is helping to ease his pain.

Clint Brown is a Brother in Blue and a family friend of Burton’s. He said, “Nothing can prepare you for a moment like that.” “Those guys are great.”

Brown, a police officer with the Connersville Police Department, said he and other officers went to Ohio to meet with their fellow officers.

He said the hospital lobby was quiet and lonely.

Brown said Burton’s family has been blue for a long time. His mother works for the Richmond Police Department, and his stepmother was a police officer there for a long time.

The people who work with him say that they love him the most because of how hard he works at his job.

“He’s always smiling, and I don’t think he knows what it’s like to feel bad. “No matter what was going on, he was always kind,” Ashley Penland said.

Penland often spoke with Burton as he patrolled the streets.

Penland said, “I think he’s one of the best police officers we’ve had.”

Officer Burton is well known to the people in the town of Richmond because he has been working there for a long time.

Rich Cody, the head of the Safety Village in Wayne County, spent time with Burton this summer when he and his K-9 Brev did a demonstration for the kids.

“She loves her job, she’s good with people, and you can tell she really enjoys what she does. Cody said, “He wants to be with the kids.”

Although Burton has only been with the Richmond Police Department for 4 years, he is not new to the area.

He grew up in Fountain City, which is just a few miles from Richmond.

People from Northeastern Schools, where he attended, came with signs to show their support.

Her teachers say Seara is the best example of a team player because she has a nice smile, is friendly, and follows the rules.

“It doesn’t surprise me that Seara works for the police. She’s a beautiful girl who always has a smile on her face. Sarah Moore, her fifth-grade teacher, said, “She’s a good friend to everyone and always hold himself.”

Janel Wetzel, who was Seara’s seventh grade teacher, said she was a fierce competitor and a great basketball player.

“When Seara was there, you couldn’t help but be HAPPY and respond to the JOY she shared with you. Seara is kind and willing to help. He cares a lot about his family and his little sisters. It seems he was meant to work in a field of service. Wetzel said Seara always put the needs of others before her own.

Officer Burton is still fighting for his life, and people who know and care about him say they just want him to get better.

Brown said, “There’s nothing you can do, but sometimes just seeing your family together is enough to get you through.”

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