When cop died in the line of duty, homeless people donated every dollar they had — the incredible reason moved her family
A person's kindness might live on for a long time. An officer who was shot in the line of duty turned out to be a shining example of that. The 28-year-old woman was known for her kindness in her community. So after her death, a group of homeless people got together and gave every dollar they had to honor her. A man gave an envelope with money to the department and explained that they wished to remain anonymous, per CBS News.
The police officer, Seara Burton, was 28 years old when she was shot in the line of duty. She died only days before her wedding and the community grieved the loss of a kind officer. The woman died 39 days after she was shot in August 2022. Soon after her passing, a stranger came into the department and handed information clerk, Charlotte Jones, a white envelope with 8 crumpled $1 notes. It also had a note inside that read, "People from the street." The man seemed homeless, according to Jones. He accepted a hug, but did not want to reveal his name or identity. "I told him, 'This is like the most amazing gift that we have gotten,'" Jones recounted.
The man shared that Burton was a really kind officer and often checked in on the homeless people. He collected donations from people who lived on the street for the woman and they gave everything they could. "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," Lt. Donnie Benedict from the Richmond Police Department expressed. Burton's stepmom, Officer Ami Miller, shared that she was not surprised because this was a part of who Burton was as a person. People donated money to the homeless in return for honoring the late officer. "There's hope out there. There are people out there who will give everything," Benedict expressed.
People praised the generous act by the homeless people in the comments section of the video. @cherylkennedy9369 wrote, "This brought me to tears. Working with 1500 homeless people daily for almost a decade, this depicts so well their kindness and appreciation. They gave what they had, almost nothing, because she treated them with kindness and respect, which every person deserves, regardless of their situation in life. Rest in peace, officer." @jaymesEo6 commented, "This is my hometown. She seemed to be a nice woman. The man who killed her did so brazenly in the middle of the day. I hope that her family finds some peace."
@jamesfreeman2258 remarked, "We leave legacies. Everyone born on this earth leaves either love, apathy, or hate legacies. When you look at this officer, even before the video, you can see she has left a legacy of tenderness, love, strength and forgiveness." @TrevorCollin420 shared, "And this is why I never turn a blind eye to a homeless person, we don't know their story. Whoever that person is and whoever donated, may the greatest things come to you. And may the greatest things come to your family that loves you!" @yvonnemurray5537 expressed, "I can’t write much of anything because I’m crying. For the officer, the people she served, including the homeless, her family & fellow officers."