The Cleveland police officer who died in the line of duty was identified as Jamieson Ritter, 27.

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – The Cleveland Police Department has identified the officer shot and killed in the line of duty on July 4 as 27-year-old Jamieson Ritter, #1176.

Cleveland Police Chief Dorothy Todd said Officer Ritter was shot around 1 a.m. in the 1500 block of East 80th Street.

According to Police Chief Todd, officers were dispatched to that part of the Hough neighborhood to execute an arrest warrant on a man wanted for aggravated assault.

Chief Todd said officers arrived on scene and found the suspect, later identified as 24-year-old Delawnte Hardy, leaving the home on a bicycle.

Hardy opened fire on officers trying to detain him, Chief Todd testified, and fatally shot Officer Ritter.

Chief Todd confirmed that Hardy was arrested at the scene and charged with aggravated murder.

Although Hardy was not injured, he was taken to the hospital “as a precaution,” Chief Todd said.

“They need to be recognized for the heroes they are,” Chief Todd said.

(Cleveland police officer fatally shot in Hough neighborhood, suspect charged)

Cleveland Police Department

Officer Ritter served in the Cleveland Division of Police Fourth District for four years “with distinction and pride,” said Sergeant Wilfredo Diaz, Public Information Officer.

After becoming a Cleveland police officer in November 2020, Officer Ritter, who previously served in the National Guard, deployed to Syria in 2020 with his unit, Sgt. Diaz said.

According to Sergeant Diaz, he will return to duty as an officer with the City of Cleveland in 2023.

“Today is a sad day for our city,” Chief Todd said. “Ironically, on this day of freedom, we are reminded of the evil that seeks to impose itself upon our community. However, despite our pain and suffering, we acknowledge the tremendous sacrifice that Officer Ritter made and will honor his memory and compassion. We will continue to carry his legacy in our hearts.”

(Condolences pouring in for Cleveland police officer killed in line of duty)

Cleveland Police Officer of the Month

Officer Ritter was recently honored as the Cleveland Police Foundation’s Officer of the Month for May.

Below is a description of Sergeant Eric Newton of the Third District of the Cleveland Division of Police’s heroic efforts that earned him his nomination:

“On February 2, 2024, Patrol Officers Vajusi and Ritter responded to a call of a male shot at 3425 East 69th. Upon arrival, They located a man lying in the driveway with a gunshot wound to the chest. He was not conscious, not breathing and had no pulse. Patrol officers Vajusi and Ritter immediately got to work, removed his clothes, applied chest seals and began cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

For several minutes, officers worked tirelessly to perform chest compressions and restore the victim’s pulse. Although the victim sadly died a short time later, the officers gave their all to give the victim a chance to survive.

On April 20, 2024, Patrol Officers Vajusi and Ritter responded to a call at 1056 Old River Road. man who jumped into the Cuyahoga River. Patrol officers Vajusi and Ritter, as well as several other officers, pulled the man from the water.

Patrol officers Vajusi and Ritter helped administer first aid and warm the man to prevent hypothermia. The man was taken to Metro Hospital. Once again, police officers patrolling the Vajusi and Ritter area played a key role in saving someone’s life.

Most recently, on May 9, 2024, Patrol Officers Vajusi and Ritter responded to a call about a male shot at East 55th and McBride. Upon arrival, they located a man who was shot multiple times. For the next five minutes, Patrol Officers Vajusi and Ritter undressed the man, applied bandages and chest seals, and gave him comfort, trying to keep him alive.

As if that wasn’t enough, they also asked who shot him. Their investigation ultimately led to the arrest of a shooting suspect. The officers were literally conducting an investigation at the same time they were saving the victim’s life. Patrolman Ritter stayed with the victim until he was in the ambulance. I don’t think the victim would have survived if it wasn’t for Patrol Officer Vajusi and Ritter dedicate themselves to saving human lives. “

Reserve Officers Training Corps and National Guard

Before becoming a Cleveland police officer, Ritter graduated from Syracuse University in 2019 and enrolled in the Reserve Officers Training Corps.

According to Syracuse Army ROTC, Ritter was a cadet at the university, where he studied communications and rhetoric.

“Jamieson has continually developed his leadership skills, emphasizing the importance of good communication not only when leading, but also when following,” Syracuse Army ROTC said regarding his leadership training in February 2019.

According to Syracuse Army ROTC, Ritter served as an S6 in the Stalwart Battalion before becoming a quartermaster officer in the New York Army National Guard.

Cleveland police said Ritter was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army National Guard, where he served in the 134th Field Artillery Regiment.

Hometown Hero

Ofc. Ritter is from Webster, New York and is a 2015 graduate of McQuaid Jesuit High School.

Sergeant Diaz said he “grew up with a deep desire to serve his country and his community.”

“His family confirms that ‘from a young age, Jamieson possessed an innate understanding of selfless service to his nation and a strong desire to serve his community,’” Sgt. Diaz shared.

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