Slain Cleveland cop a McQuaid grad, son of former Greece Police officer who was at West Webster tragedy

CLEVELAND, OHIO – A police officer killed on the job on the Fourth of July was raised in Webster and graduated from McQuaid Jesuit High School.

Jamieson Ritter, 27, was a four-year veteran of the force. He’s the son of retired Greece Police Officer Jon Ritter. The elder Ritter was credited with saving lives on Christmas Eve 2012 when William Spengler set a fire and shot and killed responding firefighters on Lake Road. Ritter was on his way to work and used to his car to prevent others from happen upon the gunfire.

Thursday morning, the younger Ritter was responding to a neighborhood looking for a man wanted for assault, who police say opened fire. The suspect, De’lawnte Hardy, is now charged with aggravated murder.

Ritter was the only officer shot.

Ritter served in the Ohio Army National Guard after graduating from Syracuse University in 2019. He spent time serving in Syria.

“From an early age, Jamieson possessed an innate understanding of selfless service to the nation and a strong desire to serve his community,”

– family statement released by the Cleveland Division of Police

Chief Dorothy Todd said Ritter’s legacy will be carried in their hearts.

“I can’t even imagine, can’t even begin to express how they feel,” she said. “It’s absolutely devastating, you know? How do you hear this? And know this – there’s nothing I can say to them that’s going to make it better, but I can tell you that we will 100 percent be there for them and support them.”

McQuaid Jesuit High School is mourning Ritter’s passing. A spokesperson released the following statement:

“The entire McQuaid Jesuit community offers our sincere condolences to the Ritter family and we ask that everyone keep Jamieson, his loved ones, and the Cleveland Police Department in their prayers during this most difficult time.”

This is a developing story. News10NBC will provide updates as they become available.