END OF WATCH: July 4, 2024
Cleveland Police Department
Patrol Officer Jamieson Ritter, Badge No. 1176 was twenty-seven years of age when he was killed in the Line of Duty by a subject wanted for felonious assault which became an aggravated murder when the victim was removed from life support. The subject attempted to escape the home on the east side of Cleveland and fired numerous shots, killing Patrol Officer Ritter. The firearm used to kill Patrol Officer Ritter was taken from the shooter’s previous victim. It took several police officers to subdue the killer who struggled to continue his escape.
Patrol Officer Ritter served the residents of Cleveland for four years with distinction as a law enforcement officer.
A native of Webster, New York, he graduated from McQuaid Jesuit High School before earning his degree from Syracuse University. While at Syracuse, he was an active member of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps and the university’s Officers’ Training Corps, setting the foundation for his future in law enforcement and military service.
Before joining the Cleveland Police Department, Officer Ritter served as a Quartermaster in the New York Army National Guard. In 2020, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army National Guard and became part of the 134th Field Artillery Regiment. That same year, he moved from Rochester, New York to Cleveland, where he was recognized as a leader among his peers at the Cleveland Police Academy. His strong character and dedication earned him the respect and admiration of fellow officers early in his career.
Officer Ritter’s commitment to protecting others was evident through his many acts of heroism during his service. In the month before his Line of Duty Death, he was named Co-Officer of the Month for saving multiple lives on separate occasions. His bravery and selflessness were defining traits throughout his time with the Cleveland Police Department.
Beyond his service at home, Officer Ritter also deployed to Syria in 2020 with his unit as a member of the Ohio National Guard. After completing his mission overseas, he returned in 2023, continuing his work as a Cleveland Police Officer.
Officer Ritter’s legacy lives on through the countless lives he touched, his unwavering commitment to service, and the enduring impact he made in the law enforcement and military communities. His dedication and bravery will be remembered and honored always.
