The Cleveland Division of Police reported the death of one of its officers while serving an arrest warrant for a suspect charged with a felony. The deceased officer was recently named “Officer of the Month” after he and his partner saved the lives of two people earlier this year.
Police have identified Officer Jamieson Ritter, 27, who was shot and killed after attempting to serve a warrant on East 80th Place in the city’s Hough neighborhood.
Charged with aggravated homicide
Authorities identified the suspect as De’Lawnte Hardy, 24, of Cleveland, who allegedly shot Officer Ritter and charged him with aggravated murder.
“The Cleveland Division of Police is saddened to announce the death of Officer Jamieson Ritter #1176, who was shot and killed this morning while serving and protecting our community,” police wrote on social media.
Police Chief Dorothy Todd held a press conference detailing the loss, noting that Officer Ritter was a four-year veteran of the department who previously served as an ROTC cadet while studying communications and rhetorical studies at Syracuse University. He was a member of the Ohio National Guard and was deployed to Syria in 2022.
The suspect shot while escaping
Cleveland police said in a news release that Ritter’s family said he wanted to serve his community and country from a young age. He was assigned to the city’s Third District.
Chief Todd said the crash happened when Ritter and other officers were supposed to serve De’Lawnte Hardy with a warrant for felonious assault. When they arrived at the home, they saw the suspect running away from the house on a bicycle, Todd said. Officers attempted to stop him and Hardy allegedly fired several shots.
Hardy was arrested and taken to a hospital as a “precautionary measure,” police confirmed. He is currently in custody at the Cuyahoga County Justice Center.
“We will honor his memory and compassion”
“Ironically, on this day designated for freedom, we are remembering the evil that he seeks to impose on our community. However, despite our pain, we take the immense sacrifice that Officer Ritter gave, and we will honor his memory and compassion,” said Chief Todd.
Last week, the Cleveland Police Foundation named Jamieso Ritter and his partner, Brittany Vajusi, “Officers of the Month.” The couple provided emergency aid to two shooting victims, one in February and one in May, and rescued a man who had jumped into the Cuyahoga River in April.
Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb said in a statement posted to cleveland.com that he was heartbroken by the officer’s death and vowed to bring the killer to justice.
“Our entire city mourns the tragic loss of this dedicated public servant,” Bibb said.
Flags at half-mast in his honor
Gov. Mike DeWine ordered flags at public buildings in Cuyahoga County and at Capitol Square in Columbus to be flown at half-staff in honor of Officer Ritter, the news outlet reported.
“On this Independence Day, this tragedy is a painful reminder of the sacrifices our law enforcement officers and military members make in support of freedom and public safety,” DeWine said in a prepared statement.
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