Cleveland Officer Jamieson Ritter Memorial Service: Live Stream

CLEVELAND — A memorial service was held Monday for Cleveland Police Officer Jamieson Ritter, who died after the 27-year-old was shot and killed in the line of duty while responding to a call last week on July 4.

Below are some moments from that service and procession as the community paid their respects.

Officer Ritter’s memorial service was held at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, located at 1007 Superior Avenue.

Among those speaking was Cleveland Police Division Chief Annie Todd.

“Today, we come together to honor a true American hero, Officer Jamieson Ritter,” she said. “Jamieson was a dedicated public servant, a loving family member, a cherished friend. He served our community with unwavering commitment and courage, embodying the highest ideals of law enforcement. Throughout his years of service, Jamieson demonstrated what it means to truly dedicate oneself to the safety and well-being of others. His courage in the face of danger, not only to protect our city, but to protect our country during his service and deployment with the Ohio Army National Guard. His compassion for those in need and his relentless pursuit of justice were evident in every action he took. He was not just an officer, he was a guardian of our community, a beacon of hope and a symbol of strength. As his father, Jon, told me, he received his paycheck from the city, but he worked for our citizens.”

You can watch the full service in the video below:

Chief Todd also sent this message to his family and friends:

“I cannot say words to ease your pain and grief. I hope these last few days here in Cleveland have given you the opportunity to see how many lives Jamieson touched and the impact he had on everyone he met. I pray that as you meet his classmates from the 147th, his brothers and sisters from the Third District, and his family from the Police Division, as you hear the stories of how Jamieson touched our lives, you will always remember how much we all loved him. His legacy will live on through all those he touched, the colleagues he inspired, and the community he helped build. As we mourn his loss, we also celebrate the incredible impact he had on all of us. Let us honor him by continuing his work, upholding the values ​​he stood for, and striving to make our community a better place, as he did every day. Officer Jamieson Ritter, you will never be forgotten. Your spirit will continue to guide us. Your dedication will continue to inspire us, and your memory will remain in our hearts forever.”

RELATED: ‘A true American hero’: Cleveland Police Chief Annie Todd honors Officer Jamieson Ritter at memorial service

Here are other moments from the memorial service:

Cleveland police said Officer Ritter’s funeral will be held out of state. While no specific details about that service were provided, his obituary states that Officer Ritter’s private burial will be held at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Rochester, New York.

“The family wanted the funeral to be held at home,” said Sgt. Wilfredo Diaz of the Cleveland Police Department. “So obviously we’re here for the family to give them that support. We wanted to honor Officer Ritter and this is our way of honoring him, spending some time with his family and showing them how much he meant to us.”

In a brief interview while waiting for the memorial service to begin, Sgt. Diaz told 3News’ Lydia Esparra that officers were “deeply heartbroken” by the loss.

“We need to take a moment to honor him and remember his legacy,” Sergeant Diaz said. “This is our way of showing that.”

The funeral procession for Officer Ritter began shortly after 9 a.m., as his body was escorted by police to St. John the Evangelist Cathedral.

3News deployed teams along the procession route to capture the following moments and images:

Cleveland police said he served the city for the past four years “with distinction and pride.”

“Ritter graduated from Syracuse University in 2019 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army National Guard,” Cleveland police said. “As a member of the Ohio Army National Guard, he served in the 134th Field Artillery Regiment. After joining the Cleveland Division of Police in November 2020, Ritter deployed to Syria in 2022 with his unit and returned to continue his service in the City of Cleveland in 2023.”

RELATED: Friends share memories of Cleveland police officer Jamieson Ritter, killed in the line of duty

Ritter, a native of Webster, New York, is a 2015 graduate of McQuaid Jesuit High School.

“His family confirms that ‘from a young age, Jamieson possessed an innate understanding of selfless service to the nation and a strong desire to serve his community,'” according to Cleveland police.

Cleveland Police Chief Annie Todd said Ritter died after being shot while responding to a man wanted for felony assault in the 1500 block of East 80th Street in the early morning hours of July 4.

“Today is a sad day for our city,” said Chief Todd. “Ironically, on this day dedicated to freedom, we are reminded of the evil that seeks to impose itself on our community. However, through our pain and suffering, we recognize Officer Ritter’s immense sacrifice and will honor his memory and compassion. We will continue to hold his legacy in our hearts.”

The suspect has been identified as De’Lawnte Hardy, 24. He is currently being held on $5 million bail.

Here is Officer Ritter’s obituary as published by Chambers Funeral Home:

JAMIESON R. RITTER, 27, Cleveland Police Officer Badge #1176, tragically killed in the line of duty on July 4, 2024. Beloved son of Karen and Jonathan Ritter; dear brother of Alysia, Jonathan and Angelica; much loved uncle of Ryleigh and Wyatt Snook; beloved nephew, cousin and dear friend to many, especially his fellow officers and the community he proudly served. Veteran of the U.S. Army Reserve. Christian Burial Service on Monday, July 8, The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist (E. 9th & Superior) at 10:00 a.m. (all uniformed personnel are requested to meet directly at the church). Private interment at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery (Rochester, NY). Memorial contributions in Jamieson’s memory are suggested to the Cleveland Police Foundation, 2301 Payne Ave., Suite 201, Cleveland, OH 44114.

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