The news these days is often depressing at worst and frustrating at best. It’s easy to let it get us down. Never fear… The News Blender has you covered. Once a week we feature Something Good and, in return, all you have to do is tell us something good that has happened to you this week, something you are thankful for, a joke, a cute animal story, an inspiring tale of heroics, a Random Act of Kindness… SOMETHING good.
Today’s something good is a legacy of kindness that springs from a tragedy.
In April, Officer Seara Burton started her dream job as a K-9 handler after four years serving on the police department in Richmond, Indiana. Her K-9 partner is named Brev. On August 10, Seara responded to a traffic call. Brev indicated the presence of narcotics and, after she returned the dog to her vehicle, Seara was shot in the head, per IndyStar.
After a stay in a Dayton hospital, Seara was brought home to a hospice when life support was removed. She finally succumbed to her injuries on September 18. The community, a small midwestern city, was bereft at her loss and rallied behind her family and the local police department. My husband works at the hospital Seara was initially taken to and has a connection to her through a co-worker. This was a terrible, senseless tragedy that no one there will forget.
However, as is so often the case, tragedy brings hope and kindness.
At Seara’s funeral, Richmond Police Lieutenant Donnie Benedict told a touching story that illustrates that point, according to WRTV.
After Seara died, a stranger, who wished to remain anonymous, walked into the police station and produced what Benedict described as a “wrinkled, dirty, well-used envelope” with the words “People from the Street” written on it. Inside was eight one-dollar bills. To the crowd gathered for Seara’s funeral, he expressed how precious that gift was because it demonstrated how big an impact Officer Burton had on the community she served for four years.
Lieutenant Benedict said, “There have been many valuable gifts given in honor of Seara. However none, and I mean none, are more valuable than the gift of 8 $1 bills in a dirty white envelope.” He continued, “What do you say to it? I mean it’s amazing that somebody decided to do that.”
The department decided to frame the gift to honor the impact Seara had on the community.
But as touching as that story is, it’s not the end of it.
Amber Conley heard that story and was deeply touched by the sacrifice made by people who had so little. She put out a request on Facebook for supplies for the homeless community in Richmond who didn’t know where their next meal was coming from but showed their support for Seara the best they could.
“Ask and you shall receive; we’ve got more donations in the last 12 hours than we have in the entire 3 days. It’s been insane,” Amber said. The community quickly rallied and donated enough supplies – blankets, coats, water, and tents – to fill a room at the local fire station.
“Her mom told me that she would love this. She would love people helping people and reaching out,” Amber said. “Everyone feels so hopeless and I feel like now that unfortunately Seara is gone this is the best legacy you could every leave behind is people showing kindness to the other citizens in honor of her.”
As tragic as this story is – the loss of a kindhearted, loving young woman who was so dedicated to her career and made all around her smile is needless and cruel – there is a lesson to take away from this story. The lesson is that life is fleeting so we should make the most of it. And living a life that inspires others to acts of love and kindness is the best legacy anyone could ever hope to leave behind.
Now it’s your turn… Tell me something good!
