CLEVELAND — Hundreds of people joined local law enforcement for a morning full of music, waving flags and motorcycles at the 16th Annual Cops Ride at the Greater Peace Officers Memorial in Cleveland.

What You Need To Know

  • Around 400 Ohioans came together for the 16th Annual Cops Ride at the Greater Peace Officers Memorial, riding their motorcycles across Cleveland

  • The event honored Jacob Derbin from the Euclid Police Department and Jamieson Ritter from the Cleveland Police Department who were recently shot and killed. The ceremony also honored three other police officers who passed in 2023, Timothy James Unwin, Marcus Zeigler and Joshua Hamilton

  • Proceeds from the event will be divided between the Greater Cleveland Peace Officers Memorial and the Ohio Concerns of Police Officers, to support the law enforcement community

John Kikol, President of Cops Ride Cleveland Ohio, said they’re paying high respects to two recent tragedies.

“We’re honoring the 194 names on the memorial behind me, and soon certainly going to add two more,” Kikol said. “Euclid Officer Jacob Derbin, age 24, and Cleveland Officer Jamieson Ritter, age 27.”

Jacob Derbin from the Euclid Police Department and Jamieson Ritter from the Cleveland Police Department were both shot and killed within the last two months. Many Ohioans helped support law enforcement by participating in the motorcycle ride traveling across Cleveland. Proceeds from the event will be divided between the Greater Cleveland Peace Officers Memorial and the Ohio Concerns of Police Officers to support the law enforcement community. 

Kikol said today is not only about honoring fallen officers, but also their families.

“The families of fallen officers are referred to as survivors as they must continue to raise their families without their loving spouse,” he said. “We’re all riding today to never forget the sacrifices of our fallen heroes.”

David Leo, member of Ohio Concerns of Police Survivors, says he’s experienced this type of loss firsthand.

“My wife, Pat, and I became members of this club on October 21st, 2017, when our son, Girard Ohio Police Officer Justin Leo, was killed responding to a domestic call,” Leo said.

As they commemorate Derbin, Ritter and three other fallen officers, Timothy James Unwin, Marcus Zeigler and Joshua Hamilton, Leo says the memorial also highlights a nationwide issue.

“We stand behind our thin blue line flag that is under attack in communities across our country,” he said.

Still, Mitch Houser, Euclid Police Department Captain, said they are holding onto hope for a better future.

“Every one of us in the family, members of those who have fallen and enshrine behind us that one day we get to a new normal, a new normal where we can be in a better place here on earth,” Houser said. “Just as I know and believe, Jacob’s in a better place in heaven.”