A Webster native turned police officer has died after he was shot and killed Thursday morning while responding to an assault call in Cleveland, Ohio, according to police.
Cleveland police say Jamieson Ritter, 27, was shot by a suspect who was attempting to flee the scene on a bike around 1 a.m.
The suspect, later identified as Delawnte Hardy, 24, was arrested and is currently being held at a Cleveland area jail.
Ritter graduated from McQuaid Jesuit High School in Rochester in 2015 and Syracuse University in 2019.
Ritter’s father, Jon, retired from the Greece Police Department in 2013.
Ritter was a four-year veteran of the Cleveland Police Department.
"Today is a sad day for our city," Cleveland Police Chief Dorothy Todd said in a press release. "Ironically, on this day designated for freedom, we are reminded of the evil that tries to impose on our community. However, despite our pain and hurt, we take in the immense sacrifice Officer Ritter gave, and we will honor his memory and compassion. We will continue to carry his legacy in our hearts."
Funeral arrangements are not set yet.
"We are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic death of Officer Jamieson Ritter, a 2019 alumnus of Syracuse University, who was killed in the line of duty," Sarah Scalese, senior associate vice president for communications at Syracuse University said. "Officer Ritter dedicated much of his young life in service to others - as a member of Syracuse University's Army ROTC Program, then as an officer in the Ohio Army National Guard and as a Cleveland Police Officer. On behalf of the Orange community, we extend are condolences to Officer Ritter's family, colleagues and everyone who knew and loved him."