Cleveland Police remember fallen officers with badge case ceremony

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - As part of National Police Memorial Week, Cleveland Police remembered fallen officers with the annual Cleveland Police Badge Case Ceremony at the Cuyahoga County Justice Center Thursday morning.

The ceremony was held at the case containing the badges of Cleveland officers slain in the line of duty, and honors not only the fallen officers, but the surviving family members as well.

The badge numbers will also be retired as the badges enter the case.

The Cleveland Police Department lost one of their own in 2024.

Officer Jamieson Ritter was fatally shot in the line of duty on July 4, 2024, after responding to a 911 call for a Garfield Heights shooting suspect inside a home.

“He bravely served our country with honor in the United States military and as a Cleveland Police officer engaged with the community was always there to help fellow officers and had a bright future with the division of police,” said Capt. James O’Malley of the Cleveland Division of Police.

Ritter’s badge will officially be placed in the memorial when his immediate family is able to attend next year’s ceremony.

Many family members who have lost officers and the Cleveland Police Chief are in Washington D.C. this week at the National Police Memorial.

“This badge case will bear Jamieson’s name and will stand as a permanent reminder of his courage. It will inspire future generations of officers to carry forward his legacy with the same integrity and the heart that defined his service,” said Deputy Chief Jarod Schlacht of the Cleveland Division of Police.

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This year also marks 25 years since Officer Wayne Leon’s death.

He was gunned down while conducting a traffic stop and his brother, Dean, spoke at the ceremony about the hours waiting to see if his brother would pull through.

“If anybody could survive this event, it was Wayne. He was known for his intelligence, toughness, quick witted humor, strength and mostly known for his family strong values. But that miracle we were all in search of, never came to be,” said Lt. Dean Leon.

The ceremony ended with a promise to remember all those who have fallen in the line of duty.

“Let us come together to support one another in the healing process and to build a future worthy of their sacrifice,” said Schlacht.

Police Week 2025 will continue with a parade Friday, May 16, from Lakeside Avenue and East 12th Street to the Greater Cleveland Peace Officers Memorial in Huntington Park at West 3rd Street and Lakeside Avenue.

The parade kicks-off at 10:30 a.m.