Cleveland Police Officer Killed in Line of Duty

(Cleveland) - Cleveland Police Officer Jamieson Ritter was killed in the line of duty Independence Day morning, while working with a number of other law enforcement officers to serve an arrest warrant for a man who was arrested and is now charged with aggravated murder.

On Friday, July 5, bond for Officer Ritter's accused killer was set at $5 million in Cleveland Municipal Court.

Ritter, who was 27, joined the Cleveland Division of Police in 2020. He graduated from Syracuse University in 2019 and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army National Guard. As a member of the National Guard, Ritter 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. He returned to the CDP in 2023.

Ritter was originally from Webster, New York. His family confirms that from an early age, Ritter possessed "an innate understanding of selfless service to the nation and a strong desire to serve his community."

In June, Officer Ritter and his partner, Officer Brittany Vajusi, were named by the Cleveland Police Foundation as Officers of the Month for heroic actions they took in three situations to save the lives of two shooting victims, and a man who had jumped in the Cuyahoga River. Read more about their actions at this link.

According to Chief of Police Annie Todd, Ritter was one of about ten law enforcement officers attempting to serve a warrant for felonious assault to 24-year-old De'Lawnte Hardy in the 1500 block of East 80th in Cleveland's Hough neighborhood. She says Hardy tried to get away on a bicycle, and that when police attempted to arrest Hardy, he pulled out a gun and fired it five times, one of the bullets striking Officer Ritter. Hardy was arrested and charged with aggravated murder in the death of Officer Ritter.

In a statement, Chief Todd said, "Today is a sad day for our city. 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."

This statement was released by Cuyahoga County Sheriff Harold Pretel: "On behalf of the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department, I extend my condolences to the members of the Cleveland Division of Police on the senseless and tragic killing of Police Officer Jamieson Ritter. This is another stark reminder of the increasing violence against law enforcement, and the danger faced by those who answer the call to duty. My heart breaks for Officer Jamieson Ritter’s family and loved ones. The Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department stands in solidarity with our brothers and sisters of the Cleveland Division of Police."

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost released this statement: “This young officer was a selfless hero who served his community with favor and dedicated his life to restraining evil. The loss of an officer on a day when we celebrate the many freedoms of our country is a cruel reminder of the price paid by those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to keep our communities safe. My deepest condolences are with Officer Ritter’s loved ones and the Cleveland Police Department.”

De'Lawnte Hardy was arraigned Friday, July 5, in Cleveland Municipal Court. A city prosecutor described the allegations against Hardy. According to 3 News, the prosecutor said, "The officers were searching for this defendant because of an incident that occurred in Garfield Heights on Friday, June 29. Allegedly on that day, the defendant stole his grandmother's gun and shot her in the face. His grandmother is in Metro Hospital. She is on life support. It is alleged she is brain dead. The officers were looking for him. Five days later, they found him in Cleveland. In an attempt to arrest him, this defendant used deadly force in trying to escape." Before setting bond at $5 million, the judge said, "The uptick in gun violence involving young people, quite frankly, is alarming, exhausting, and dismaying. The harm to the families, the community and society at large is immeasurable."

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