“Police Officer Jamieson Ritter,
you will never be forgotten.”
– Police Chief Dorothy Todd
“The Cleveland Police Foundation will provide support to Police Officer Ritter’s
family. He is a real hero and deserves our respect. He gave his life in the line of
duty while serving Cleveland and the community he came to love.”
— Dick Clough, Chair and President, Cleveland Police Foundation
Cleveland Police Officer Jamieson Ritter was shot and killed early on Thursday July 4. According to Police Chief Dorothy Todd, he was among eight to 10 officers who tried to arrest De’Lawnte Hardy on a felonious assault warrant issues from Garfield Heights police.
Hardy has been charged with aggravated murder in the killing which happened in Cleveland’s Hough neighborhood.
Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb said,”Our entire city mourns the tragic loss of this dedicated public servant.”
Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O’Malley indicated his office will prosecute the killer to the full extent of the law. He stated in one report, “Our community needs to rally in support of officers and with a unified voice condemn the violence that’s happening in our community.”
Governor Mike DeWine spoke out, “This tragedy is a painful reminder of the sacrifices law enforcement and military make in support of freedom and public safety.” The governor ordered flags on public buildings in Cuyahoga County and on Capitol Square in Columbus to fly at half-staff to honor Ritter.
Police Officer Ritter lived in Olmsted Falls. He was one of 18 officers who joined the Division of Cleveland Police in November 2020. He hails from Rochester, NY and graduated from Syracuse University. He was a member of the Ohio National Guard and was deployed to Syria in 2022. He was assigned to the Third Police District.
REPRISE: FROM THE CLEVELAND POLICE FOUNDATION PARTNER NEWSLETTER FEATURING OFFICER RITTER AND HIS PARTNER AS POLICE OFFICERS OF THE MONTH FOR MAY 2024
The following is a summary received from Sgt. Eric Newton of the Third District nominating Officers Brittany Vajusi and Jamieson Ritter for the Cleveland Police Foundation’s Police Officer of the Month award.
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. He 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.
It is because of their compassion and dedication that the Cleveland Police Foundation is honored to name Patrol Officers Brittany Vajusi and Jamieson Ritter our Police Officers of the Month for May 2024.
– Bob Guttu, Cleveland Police Foundation
Nominated by Third District Sgt. Eric Newton
Donations in memory of Officer Ritter may be made to the Cleveland Police Foundation’s Heroes Fund
The Cleveland Police Foundation’s Heroes Fund provides financial assistance to families of officers who have been killed or seriously injured in the line of duty.
We invite you to make a donation online or mail a check to:
Cleveland Police Foundation
Heroes Fund
2301 Payne Avenue, Suite 201
Cleveland, Ohio 44114
Questions? Please contact us via email here.