Richmond Community Schools has designated Friday as “Blue Friday,” and several area school districts are encouraging blue clothing Friday. such as Western Wayne, Northeastern, Nettle Creek and Centerville-Abington.
While Friday has traditionally been “red and white day,” RCS officials encourages its students, employees and community members to wear blue to show their support for Officer Seara Burton and the brave first responders who show community support daily.
“We extend our thoughts and prayers to Officer Burton and her family during these troubling times,” Superintendent Dr. Curtis Wright said. “To our courageous first responders, RCS will always stand with you just as you have always stood with us.”
*Wayne County Girl Scouts made cards for Richmond Police Department officers and gathered items for a basket for K9 Brev, who was on duty Wednesday night with Burton when the shooting occurred. They delivered the items Thursday night to the station.
*Primex Plastics is printing yard signs with Burton’s photo and the words “Prayers for Seara” to distribute at no charge. At least 100 were to be available between 8 and 10 a.m. Friday at 400 Industrial Parkway.
*The Leland Legacy at 900 S. A St. in Richmond has hung a banner with the word “Seara” on its top level overlooking the city to show its support for Burton and her family, Richmond Police Department, Wayne County Sheriff’s Department, Indiana State Police and others affected.
“Our hearts and prayers are with you all,” the Leland’s Facebook page said.
* Smiley’s Pub has announced proceeds from its fifth annual golf scramble will go to Burton. The event takes place Aug. 14 at Highland Lake Golf Course in Richmond. Entry fee is $35 for Highland members and $60 for non-members, and hole sponsorship is $50. More information is available by calling 765-983-7284.
*Erika Cappa, whose family has a long history in local law enforcement, has organized a sale of hooded and non-hooded sweatshirts and T-shirts with 100 percent of all profits to be donated directly to Burton’s family. The gray shirts show “IGY6” on the front, which stands for “I’ve got your six,” a phrase of support used within the law enforcement community, and the state of Indiana with an American flag and a blue vertical line on the back. The phrase comes from the old pilot system in which directions correspond to hours on the clock, where 12 o’clock is forward and 6 o’clock is behind, so anyone behind you is “at your six.”
Shirts can be ordered at https://dapperthreadsus.com/ and are available for shipping or local pick-up at her Richmond shop on weekdays. Cappa said orders will be ready within 7-10 business days, but they will try to get them out sooner.
On Thursday night, Mayor Dave Snow issued a statement to thank the community, state police and others for their support.
“The last several hours have felt like an eternity for our team as we’ve all struggled with the reality of this tragic event,” Snow wrote. “Officer Burton, her family, the Richmond Police Department, and our city team have received a tremendous outpouring of love and support from this community, local and state elected officials, and citizens from other cities around Indiana. Richmond has stepped up in droves to support our officers.”
Over the next week, residents likely will see a larger presence of Indiana State Police in the city as they assist RPD, Snow said, thanking ISP State Superintendent Doug Carter and his officers for their services during this difficult time.
“We thank everyone for your continued prayers and messages of solidarity and comfort. It means a lot right now, and we know our police department will continue to need your kindness in the days to come,” Snow said. “Officer Burton is a brave young officer who put her life on the line daily so all of us could live in a safer community. Right now, she is in a difficult fight, and we are all fighting with her. If you are privileged to know Officer Burton, you know she is a strong, resilient woman, and it’s her strength and your prayers that will give her the best chance to win this fight.”
Snow encourages those who want to show their support to attend a prayer vigil at 7 p.m. Friday at the south entrance of Richmond Municipal Building, 50 N. Fifth St.
“We continue to be humbled by the service of our officers and their families to our community,” Snow wrote. “We are a stronger community because of their commitment and dedication to all of us.”