INDIANAPOLIS — Sunflowers were among Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Officer Breann Leath's favorite things. So was music. And her friendship with fellow IMPD Officer Desiree Biggers.
Both Leath and Biggers worked in the East District. Biggers shared several stories in a phone interview, including when Leath made a food run for three children after their mom was arrested. She fed them while officers waited hours for a relative to arrive.
Both officers were familiar with sign language.
Officer Leath, who was shot and killed April 9 while responding to a domestic incident, liked talking with people and she credited her sign language skills with helping to deal with a family fight on the east side this year. Her skills made the family feel comfortable and made it easier to find a peaceful resolution.
Desiree has a message for Breann's 3-year-old son.
"Your mom was a light in a dark place who touched the lives of many people doing what she loved," Biggers said. "She loved this city, loved serving the city and loved working in East District."
Breann's mother, Jennifer Leath, called her daughter a light. She said Breann was nicknamed "Breezy" because she moved like a big force of wind.
Her mom also wants people to know that Breann's other two sisters also have law enforcement in their background. Her younger sister works in the Marion County Jail and her older sister once worked at the women's prison.
Mom was a dispatcher, dad a sheriff's deputy. An entire family dedicated to law and order.
And like the sunflower, Officer Breann Leath stood tall and stood out.
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