Richmond Police retires Officer Seara Burton’s K9; Department to receive next K9 at no cost

RICHMOND — The Richmond Police Department says late Officer Seara Burton’s K9, Brev, has been retired and they already have plans for their next K9.

Following Burton’s death last month, the Police Department Administration made the decision to retire Brev from active service. News Center 7 previously reported that Brev is now living with Burton’s mother and stepmother.

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“Brev has adjusted extremely well to his new retired life and is in the best possible place a dog could hope for,” Richmond Police Chief Michael Britt, Major Jon Bales and Major Aly Tonuc said in a joint release.

Prior to being retired, Brev had been cared for by Detective Scott Glover, a former K9 handler. since Burton was shot on Aug. 10.

Britt told News Center 7 Wednesday that the decision to retire Brev was the “right thing to do.” Britt explained that there is a process for police officers and K9s to select each other and they didn’t know how pairing Brev up with another officer would go.

Brev came to the Richmond Police Department from Vohne Liche Kennels in Denver, Indiana. In the wake of Brev’s retirement, Vohne Liche Kennels have offered to provide Richmond PD with its next K9 at no cost.

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A new K9 costs, on average, about $20,000, according to Britt. The cost includes training, as well as ancillary expenses such as sophisticated electronic lock and release mechanisms for police cars in the event of a loss of air conditioning.

“Ken (Licklider) and his team were deeply moved by the tragic loss of Seara. His willingness to extend this offer to RPD is greatly appreciated and shows the tight bond between Vohne Liche Kennels, the department, and the entire K9 community,” the release stated.

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