Patrol Officers Brittany Vajusi and Jamieson Ritter: Police Officers of the Month

On February 2, 2024, Patrol Officers Vajusi and Ritter responded to a male shot at 3425 East 69th. Upon their arrival, they located a male lying in the driveway with a gunshot wound to the chest. The male was not conscious, or breathing and had no pulse. Patrol Officers Vajusi and Ritter immediately went to work removing clothing, applying chest seals, and starting CPR. For several minutes, the officers worked tirelessly giving chest compressions and restored the victim's pulse. Though the victim sadly passed away moments later, the officers gave it their all to give the victim a chance at survival.

On April 20, 2024, Patrol Officers Vajusi and Ritter responded to 1056 Old River Road for a male who had jumped into the Cuyahoga River. Patrol Officers Vajusi and Ritter, along with several other officers, successfully pulled the male from the water. Patrol Officers Vajusi and Ritter assisted in providing first aid and warming the male up in order to prevent hypothermia. The male was conveyed to Metro Hospital. Again, Patrol Officers Vajusi and Ritter played a key role in saving someone's life.

Most recently, on May 9, 2024, Patrol Officers Vajusi and Ritter responded to a call for a male shot at East 55th and McBride. Upon their arrival, they located a male who had been shot multiple times. For the next five minutes, Patrol Officers Vajusi and Ritter removed the male's clothing, applied bandages and chest seals, and gave words of encouragement to the male in an effort to keep him alive. As if this wasn't enough, they were also inquiring for information about who had shot him. Their inquiries ultimately led to the arrest of the suspected shooter. The officers literally conducted the investigation at the same time they were saving the victim's life. Patrol Officer Ritter stayed with the victim all the way until he was inside the EMS wagon. I do not believe the victim would have survived had it not been for Patrol Officer Vajusi and Ritter's dedication to saving lives.