Laura Morrison and Tino Bovenzi
47 minutes ago
CLEVELAND (WJW) — A Cleveland police officer who was tragically killed on July 4 is being honored Monday, and the public is being asked to help.
The Cleveland Division of Police will hold a memorial service for Cleveland Police Officer Jamieson Ritter Monday at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist at 1007 Superior Ave. at 10 a.m.
Before the service, a memorial procession began at Chambers Funeral Home on Rocky River Drive.
People began gathering along the route, joining other officers and families paying their respects, early Monday.
Police carried Ritter’s casket out of the funeral home just after 9 a.m.
The procession to the memorial service began shortly afterward, with motorcycle police serving as escort.
Take a look at the memorial procession route below (and be aware that part of the route will be blocked to traffic):
Mourners began gathering outside the church for the memorial service early Monday.
Ritter, who was just 27 and had been with the department for four years, was part of a team that went to the Wade Park area following a report of a wanted man.
The suspect tried to flee on a bicycle and pulled out a gun and began shooting, police said, which is when Ritter was hit and killed.
On Sunday, FOX 8 spoke to those decorating the procession route. They explained that they were doing it to make the route more welcoming for Ritter’s grieving family.
“We appreciate how much of a sacrifice Jamieson made for our city,” Mary Jo Graves said. “Not just for our city, but for our country. For the little things we do, just to hang ribbons, compared to what he did in giving his life for us, there’s no greater love. And we just want to appreciate that and honor that.”
More than a dozen volunteers have relatives who work in law enforcement.
“I can’t even imagine what they’re going through,” Allison Brown said. “You know, their son wanted to go out and protect people and help them. And unfortunately that’s what happened. My prayers go out to them, and they have a great family here to support them through this.”
Mayor Justin Bibb also said in a statement to Fox 8 that he was heartbroken by the devastating loss of Officer Ritter.
“He was a dedicated public servant and our entire city mourns this tragic loss,” Bibb said in an emailed statement. “My deepest sympathies go out to Officer Ritter’s family, friends and colleagues. Please pray for his family and the Cleveland Division of Police as we mourn this senseless loss. We are doing everything we can to ensure the perpetrator is brought to justice to the fullest extent of the law.”
Ritter’s funeral will be held in New York state, where he grew up.
Suspect Delawnte Hardy, 24, was taken into custody and charged with aggravated murder.
You can watch the memorial service live Monday on FOX8.com in this article. Read Ritter’s obituary here.
News Source : fox8.com
Gn usa
