Hundreds of police officers and squad cars lined the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Thursday for a final salute to a fellow officer who was gunned down on the job.
Breann ‘Bre’ Leath, 24, was fatally shot when responding to a domestic violence call at a home on April 9.
Leath was described by police chaplain Patricia Holman as a ‘beautiful flower picked way too soon’ during the service, abcnews reported.
Leath’s family, including her 3-year-old son, watched the service from several luxury suites to maintain a safe distance apart.
She had been among three officers who responded to the call at 1803 Edinburge Square on Indianapolis’ far east side, police said.
Authorities allege that suspect Elliahs Dorsey, 27, opened fire through a closed door, fatally striking Leath. She was rushed to Eskenazi Hospital but succumbed to her injuries and Dorsey has since been charged with her murder and a string of other charges.
The hearse carrying the body of Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officer Breann “Bre” Leath makes it way down the main straightaway at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway following a funeral service for the officer
An officer places a white carnation in a trailer to honor Breann Leath following her funeral service
Breann Leath was shot and killed while responding to a domestic disturbance call at 1803 Edinburge Square shortly before 3pm. She is survived by one child (pictured above) and her parents, who both serve with the Marion County Sheriff’s office
On Thursday Leath’s hearst could be seen travelling down the speedway while hundreds of officers stood next to squad cars wearing protective masks and keeping to social distancing rules.
The Indianapolis Star reported that four rows of patrol cars lined the 2.5-mile track, including her IMPD East District shiftmates, her classmates from the department’s 16th recruiting class and other officers from across the region. Leath had been with the Indianapolis Police Departments for two-and-a-half years.
Around 1,900 people joined a live broadcast of the 11am services as people were asked to stay at home to maintain social distancing rules.
After the service came to a close a firing party gave a 21-gun rifle salute on the track, followed by a bugler’s rendition of Taps and around 35 bagpipers who played Amazing Grace on Pit Row.
The funeral was held at the Speedway to allow officers to participate and adhere to social distancing rules because of the coronavirus pandemic. Officers can be seen saluting as they wear protective masks and keep safe apart from each other
The hearse carrying Leath’s body stopped in front of her patrol car as police radios called out her final 10-42, a police code indicating the end of a tour of duty
Rows of patrol cars lined the 2.5-mile track, including her IMPD East District shiftmates, her classmates from the department’s 16th recruiting class and other officers from across the region, and nearly 2,000 people livestreamed the funeral service
The funeral hearse, which was escorted by dozens of police cars, began a final lap around the track around 1:45pm.
Officers, standing outside their rows of cars, dropped white carnations into a trailer pulled by a pickup truck.
The hearse carrying Leath’s body stopped in front of her patrol car as police radios called out her final 10-42, a police code indicating the end of a tour of duty, The Indianapolis Star said.
The procession ended at Crown Hill Cemetery where Leath was buried in the Heroes of Public Safety section of the graveyard.
A procession of police cars accompanies the hearse carrying Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Officer Breann Leath as it arrives at Crown Hill Funeral Home and Cemetery
An officer places his carnation on the casket of Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officer Breann “Bre” Leath following a grave side service
An undated photo provided by the Indianapolis Police Department shows Elliahs Dorsey, above. Police recovered a KelTec PLR-16 from the apartment where the shooting occurred
Her sister Tiana Leath told mourners: ‘She had a way of making you think, ‘You know what? I really can do better. I want more for myself.’ I’m going to make you proud. Most definitely.’
She added that Leath’s son ‘will get so much love and kisses and tickles that you’re going to be jealous’.
Following Leath’s death Indianapolis Metro Police Department Chief Randal Taylor released a statement describing her as an exemplary officer.
He said: ‘Officer Leath was an example of what an IMPD officer should be.
‘She showed resolve, strength, and compassion in a dangerous job, and was always focused on serving the community she loved. She will be sorely missed.’
Elliahs Dorsey was charged on Tuesday with Leath’s murder. He was also charged with four counts of attempted murder, as well as charges of criminal confinement and misdemeanor battery, the IndyStar reported.
Documents show police recovered a KelTec PLR-16 from the apartment where the shooting occurred.
Court records say Dorsey also shot his girlfriend in each of her thighs as well as twice to the stomach. She was transported to Methodist Hospital and was listed in stable condition.