Police identify officer killed in line of duty in Ohio

The Police Department has identified the officer who shot and killed a man while performing his duties on Thursday, July 4.

>>RELATED: Officer dies after being shot in Ohio; suspect charged

Cleveland police officer Jamieson Ritter, 27, was shot and killed around 1 a.m. while serving an arrest warrant to a man wanted for aggravated assault, according to Police Chief Dorothy Todd.

He joined the force in 2020, deployed to Syria as a member of the Ohio National Guard in 2022 and returned in 2023, according to the department.

“Today is a sad day for our city,” said Chief Todd. “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.”

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As News Center 7 reported Thursday, the suspect, 24-year-old Delawnte Hardy, was leaving his home on a bicycle when police arrived and began shooting at Ritter.

He was charged with aggravated murder, according to WOIO, the CBS affiliate in Cleveland.

Hardy remains in custody at the Cuyahoga County Justice Center.