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Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine orders lowering of flags to honor fallen Cleveland police officer Jamieson Ritter

Officer Ritter was fatally shot while serving a warrant on Cleveland's east side. The suspect, De'Lawnte Hardy, was arrested and charged with aggravated murder.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Gov. Mike DeWine has ordered flags of the United States and state of Ohio lowered to half-staff throughout Cuyahoga County and other state buildings to honor Cleveland police officer Jamieson Ritter, who was fatally shot in the line of duty.

"Governor DeWine has ordered that the flags of the United States and the State of Ohio be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout Cuyahoga County and at the Ohio Statehouse, Vern Riffe Center, and Rhodes State Office Tower in Columbus from today until sunset on the day of his (Ritter) funeral," DeWine's office announced in a release.

DeWine's office says all other public buildings and grounds throughout the state may fly the flags of the United States and the State of Ohio at half-staff "at their discretion for the same time period."

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In addition, DeWine issued the below statement:

"Fran and I offer our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Cleveland Police Officer Jamieson Ritter, who not only dedicated his life to protecting the citizens of Cleveland but also served his state and nation as a member of the Ohio National Guard. On this Independence Day, this tragedy is a painful reminder of the sacrifices our law enforcement and military members make in support of freedom and public safety."

According to Cleveland Police Chief Annie Todd, Ritter was among those officers called to respond to the 1500 block of East 80th "for a male wanted for a felonious assault from a local suburb."

"Officers arrived on scene and attempted to make contact with the male," Todd said. "The male did exit the house and tried to leave the area on a bicycle. Officers attempted to arrest the male when the male produced a firearm and began firing multiple times. One of our members was struck by one of those bullets. He was transported to the hospital and he did expire at the hospital from his injuries."

The suspect — identified as 24-year-old De'Lawnte Hardy — was arrested and charged with aggravated murder.

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