Vigil to remember Cleveland Police Officer Jamieson Ritter murdered 1 year ago
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - A vigil was held Thursday evening to remember Cleveland Police Officer Jamieson Ritter.
Officer Ritter was shot and killed in the line of duty on July 4, 2024, in the 1500 block of E. 80th St.
The fallen officer’s police family gathered outside of Third District Police Headquarters at 4501 Chester Ave. Among those in attendance were members of the Cleveland Police Patrolman’s Association and fellow classmates who went through the police academy with Officer Ritter.
As the large group gathered near Officer Ritter’s cruiser, that has been taken out of service and placed as a memorial in his memory, they held candles and bowed their heads for a moment of silence.
Father Douglas Brown, a Cleveland Police Chaplain told 19 News that Officer Ritter was a born leader who served his country in the military and then dedicated his life to protecting and serving the people of Cleveland, always taking time to chat with young people he met while patrolling the streets.
The suspect, Delawnte Hardy, 24, has previously pleaded not guilty to all charges, including three counts of aggravated murder, two counts of attempted aggravated murder, one count of murder, four counts of felonious assault, two counts of receiving stolen property, and two counts of aggravated robbery.
Judge Ashley Kilbane ordered Hardy to undergo inpatient treatment at Twin Valley Behavioral Healthcare Hospital in Columbus, OH, to see if he can be restored to competency.
While at the hospital, Hardy must cooperate with all prescribed medications. Doctors will provide the court with written updates.
Hardy is also accused of shooting his grandmother, Beatrice Porter, on June 28, 2024, at her Garfield Heights home. Porter died from her injuries on July 4, 2024.
After the June 28, 2024, shooting, Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O’Malley said Hardy fled on his grandfather’s bicycle.
A family member called Garfield Heights police on June 29, 2024, after finding Porter, and a warrant was issued for Hardy’s arrest.
Around 1 a.m. on July 4, 2024, Cleveland Police responded to a 911 call stating Hardy was at a relative’s home near East 80th Street and Wade Park Avenue.
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O’Malley said officers arrived at the home and placed a spotlight on the residence.
According to O’Malley, Officer Ritter instructed Hardy six times over a loudspeaker to exit the home out the front door with his hands up.
Hardy allegedly fled out the back door of the home on his grandfather’s bicycle with two swords and the gun he stole from his grandmother.
As Hardy rode away, several officers tried to arrest him, and Hardy allegedly fired four shots.
The first shot struck Officer Ritter, the second shot nearly missed another officer, and the third shot was in the direction of two other officers, said O’Malley.
Officer Ritter was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.
Hardy was taken into custody at the scene.
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