The Cleveland police officer who was shot and killed in the line of duty early Thursday morning has been identified as 27-year-old Jamieson Ritter, who worked with the department for the past four years while assigned to the Third District.
"Today is a sad day for our city," said Cleveland Police Chief Annie Todd in a statement. "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."
Ritter graduated from Syracuse University in 2019 and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army National Guard. 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 was a native of Webster, New York, graduating from McQuaid Jesuit High School in 2015. In a release, the Cleveland Division of Police said that "Ritter grew up with profound desire to serve his country and his community. 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 NBC affiliate WHEC in Rochester, New York, Ritter's father Jon was a police officer in Greece, NY. The elder Ritter was credited with saving lives on Christmas Eve 2012 when a suspect named William Spengler set a fire and shot and killed responding firefighters. Ritter was on his way to work and used to his car to prevent others from being struck by the gunfire.
Jon Ritter retired from the Greece Police Department in 2013.
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