CLEVELAND — Along Officer Jamieson Ritter's memorial service procession route, supporters came early to line the streets. Standing in solidarity was a mix of his brothers and sisters in blue along with community members, with their presence bringing a shared purpose.
"I think every little kid, every person, everybody should see something like this," LeeAnn Northrup, who came to line the procession at Rocky River Drive and Lorain Avenue in West Park, said.
"Something like this," she says, should have never happened to a hero.
"So young. So young. I mean, it's hard to get (police officers) anyway, and they're so young that it's just crazy."
That's why today is so difficult for the youngest people showing respect. Yet 10-year-old Nate Tome knew just what to do outside Chambers Funeral Home on Rocky River Drive.
As they lined up, he shook the hands of Ritter's fellow officers.
"Because I just wanted to do a good thing and tell them to be safe," Nate told us.
Then, as they procession passed through West Park, a call for police support became louder.
"These guys, people just don't understand it, you know, what they go through day in and day out," Mark Anthony, who came to pay his respects on Rocky River Drive said. "I had way too many friends that were killed in the line of duty and ... (it) just needs to end."
Sara Murtaugh has multiple family members in law enforcement.
"Cleveland police are always out there doing their best to get, you know, people off the streets that are causing issues and that unfortunately leading to situations like Jamieson's," she stated. "I feel like coming from a police family, I've had respect for them since I was born. I wear 'Blue Strong.' We love our family and our police family, too"
Officer Ritter is another young hero gone far too soon. The signs of support — ribbons, t-shirts, and messages — show just how much this community cares. But the reality is, they don't want to lose anyone else.
"God bless you," Northrup declared of the police forces. "Thank you for all your service. My heart just breaks for them."