Plans For Officer Leath's Funeral Outlined

The funeral and honors for Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Officer Breann Leath will be held Thursday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. IMPD Chief Randall Taylor says because of stay-at-home orders and social distancing, the event will be held with numerous modifications.

"As we’re going through steps to plan her funeral, some things will look very different from those police funerals in the past," says Taylor.  

The funeral is closed to the public. IMPD officers will participate in a drive by instead of walking by the casket.  Hundreds of officers are expected.

There will be a procession around the track. The firing party and taps will be played on the yard of bricks.

IMPD Assistant Chief Chris Bailey says planning the funeral has been stressful.

"We want to make sure that she gets exactly what she deserves as far as honors," says Bailey, "but the family was clear, they want us all to be safe, and they don’t want anybody becoming sick or ill."

The public will be able to watch the event live online. 

The procession is expected to begin around 12:30 p.m. at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It will pass the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Headquarters, Marion County Sherriff’s Department Headquarters, East District Headquarters and end at Crown Hill Cemetery Heroes of Public Safety. 

IMPD says traffic patterns are expected to be slightly impacted on several major thoroughfares. 

Route from Crown Hill to Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Beginning at approximately 7 a.m.

• 38th Street west to Lafayette Road
• Lafayette Road south to Tibbs Avenue
• Tibbs Avenue south to 16th Street
• 16th Street west to IMS Gate 2

Processional Route from Indianapolis Motor Speedway to Crown Hill

Beginning at approximately 12:30 p.m.

• East on 16th St. to Meridian St.
• South on Meridian Street to Monument Circle.
• ¾ around the Circle to eastbound East Market Street
• Eastbound on Monument Circle East Market Street
• East on Market Street to Alabama Street
• South on Alabama Street to Maryland Street
• East on Maryland Street to Washington Street
• East on Washington Street to Shortridge Road
• West into the Access road to East District Headquarters
• Pause at East District Headquarters for the 1042 broadcast
• Continue around the perimeter of East District exiting onto North Shadeland Avenue
• North on Shadeland Avenue to I-70 westbound
• I-70 westbound to I-65 North
• I-65 North to 29th Street
• East on 29th Street to North Illinois Street
• North on Illinois Street to West 34th Street
• West on 34th Street to the entrance of Crown Hill Cemetery Heroes of Public Safety.