Police officer killed while performing his duties while executing a warrant

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO/Gray News) – A police officer was fatally shot in Cleveland, Ohio Thursday morning.

Cleveland Police Chief Dorothy Todd identified the officer as 27-year-old Jamieson Ritter.

According to Todd, Ritter was shot around 1 a.m. in the Hough neighborhood.

Officer Jamieson Ritter was killed Thursday morning while executing an arrest warrant in Cleveland, Ohio.(Cleveland Police Department via WOIO)

Todd said multiple officers responded to the scene to serve an arrest warrant on a man wanted for aggravated assault.

When they arrived, the suspect, later identified as Delawnte Hardy, was seen leaving the house on a bicycle. Chief Todd said that while trying to stop him, the suspect fired shots, hitting Ritter.

Hardy was arrested at the scene and taken to the Cuyahoga County Justice Center. He was charged with aggravated murder.

Delawnte Hardy((Source: Cleveland Police))

Chief Todd said Ritter had been with the department for four years and was assigned to the Third District.

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

“I ask the people of Cleveland to pray for this family and for the men and women of our police department,” said Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb.