CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Division of Police is mourning the death of a 27-year-old officer Jamieson Ritter, who was shot and killed early Thursday morning.
“Our men and women are out there every day," Cleveland Police Chief Annie Todd said during a press conference shortly before 7 a.m. "You see they don’t always get the recognition that they deserve. There’s always stories out there that are criticizing their work or criticizing our staffing. But they go out there, they work hard, they risk their lives, they risk everything they have to protect the community and they care about the community. I hope that this is another time to show our support to our officers. They need it. They deserve it. I think that someone that is criticizing of them needs to go away. They need to be recognized for the heroes that they are."
You can watch the full press conference in the video below:
Chief Todd said she had talked with the officer's family several times.
“I can’t even begin to express how they feel. It’s absolutely devastating," she said, while adding that "we will 100 percent be there for them."
Chief Todd said the officer worked at the department for the past four years.
“This is a really tough situation, and it’s hitting everyone really hard," Chief Todd said during the press conference.
The shooting happened overnight when officers responded to the 1500 block of East 80th for a man wanted for felonious assault. When police attempted to arrest the man, Chief Todd said he "produced a firearm and began firing multiple shots." That's when Ritter was struck.
The suspect has been identified as 24-year-old De'Lawnte Hardy. He was arrested and charged with aggravated murder.
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