CLEVELAND — A memorial service was held Monday for fallen Cleveland police officer Jamieson Ritter after the 27-year-old was shot and killed in the line of duty while responding to a call last week on July 4.
Below are moments of that service and procession as the community paid tribute.
MEMORIAL SERVICE
The memorial service for officer Ritter was held at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, which is located at 1007 Superior Avenue.
Among those who spoke was Cleveland Division of Police Chief Annie Todd.
"Today we gather to honor a true American hero, officer Jamieson Ritter," she said. "Jamieson was a dedicated public servant, a loving family member, a cherished friend. He served our community with unwavering commitment and courage, embodying the highest ideals of law enforcement. In his years of service, Jamieson demonstrated what it means to truly be dedicated to the safety and well-being of others. His bravery in the face of danger of not only protecting our city, but also protecting our country during his service and deployment with the Ohio Army National Guard. His compassion for those in need, and his relentless pursuit of justice were evident in every action he took. He was not just an officer, he was a guardian of our community, a beacon of hope and a symbol of strength. As his dad, Jon, said to me, he received his paycheck from the city, but he worked for our citizens.”
You can watch the full service in the video below:
Chief Todd also offered this message to his family and friends:
“There are no words I can say to take away your pain and heartache. I hope that these last few days you have spent here in Cleveland have given you an opportunity to see how many lives Jamieson has touched and the impact he made on all of those he encountered. I pray that in meeting his classmates from the 147, his brothers and sisters from the Third District and his Division of Police family, hearing the stories of how Jamieson touched our lives, that you can always remember how loved he was by all of us. His legacy will live on in all those he has touched, the colleagues he’s inspired and the community he helped to build. While we mourn his loss, we also celebrate the incredible impact he had on all of us. Let us honor him by continuing his work, by upholding the values he stood for and by striving to make our community a better place just as he did every day. Officer Jamieson Ritter, you will never be forgotten. Your spirit will continue to guide us. Your dedication will continue to inspire us and your memory will forever be in our hearts.”
Here are more moments from the memorial service:
FUNERAL SERVICE
Cleveland police say officer Ritter’s funeral will be held out of state. While no specific details about that service have been provided, his obituary says officer Ritter's private entombment will take place at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Rochester, New York.
“The family’s wish was to have the funeral back home," explained Sgt. Wilfredo Diaz with the Cleveland Division of Police. "So we obviously are here for the family to provide that support. We did want to honor officer Ritter and this is our way to honor him, have a few moments with his family and just show how much he meant to us.”
In a brief interview while awaiting the start of the memorial service, Sgt. Diaz told 3News' Lydia Esparra that officers are "deeply broken" by this loss.
"We have to take a moment to honor him and remember his legacy," Sgt. Diaz said. "This is our way to show it.”
PROCESSION FOR OFFICER RITTER
The procession for officer Ritter began shortly after 9 a.m. as his body was given a police escort to the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist.
3News had teams along the procession route to capture the following moments and images:
REMEMBERING OFFICER RITTER
Cleveland police say he served the city for the past four years “with distinction and pride.”
“Ritter graduated from Syracuse University in 2019 and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army National Guard,” Cleveland police said. “As a member of the Ohio Army National Guard, he served with the 134th Field Artillery Regiment. After joining the Cleveland Division of Police in November 2020, Ritter deployed to Syria in 2022 with his unit and returned to continue his service with the city of Cleveland in 2023.”
Ritter, originally from Webster New York, was a 2015 graduate of McQuaid Jesuit High School.
“His family confirms that ‘from an early age, Jamieson possessed an innate understanding of selfless service to the nation and a strong desire to serve his community,’” according to Cleveland police.
Cleveland Police Chief Annie Todd said Ritter passed away after he was shot while responding to the 1500 block of East 80th Street for a man wanted for felonious assault during the early morning hours on the Fourth of July.
"Today is a sad day for our city," said Chief Todd. "Ironically, on this day designated for freedom, we are reminded of the evil that tries to impose on our community. However, despite our pain and hurt, we take in the immense sacrifice Officer Ritter gave, and we will honor his memory and compassion. We will continue to carry his legacy in our hearts."
The suspect has been identified as 24-year-old De'Lawnte Hardy. He’s currently being held on a $5 million bond.
OFFICER RITTER'S OBITUARY
Here is the obituary for officer Ritter as posted by the Chambers Funeral Home:
JAMIESON R. RITTER, age 27, Cleveland Police Officer Badge #1176, tragically killed in the line of duty July 4, 2024. Beloved son of Karen and Jonathan Ritter; dear brother of Alysia, Jonathan and Angelica; much-loved uncle of Ryleigh and Wyatt Snook; beloved nephew, cousin and dear friend of many, especially his fellow officers and the community he proudly served. U.S. Army Reserve veteran. Christian Burial Service Monday, July 8, The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist (E. 9th & Superior) at 10 A.M. (all uniformed personnel please meet directly at church). Private entombment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery (Rochester, NY). Memorial contributions in Jamieson's memory are suggested to the Cleveland Police Foundation, 2301 Payne Ave., Suite 201, Cleveland, OH 44114.
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