Updates: Memorial growing for fallen Cleveland police officer Jamieson Ritter

CLEVELAND (WJW) – Cleveland police officer Jamieson Ritter was shot and killed in the early morning of the Fourth of July.

The shooting happened just before 1 a.m. in the 1500 block of East 80th Street near Wade Park.

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Officers responded to the area for a report of a man who was wanted for felonious assault. The suspect tried to escape on a bike, then pulled out a gun and began firing.

Ritter, whose identity police revealed Thursday afternoon, was a four-year veteran of the police department, according to a news release.

He was 27 years old, the FOX 8 I-Team reported.

“Today is a sad day for our city,” Police Chief Dorothy Todd is quoted in the release. “Ironically, on this day designated for freedom, we are reminded of the evil that tries to impose on our community. However, despite our pain and hurt, we take in the immense sacrifice Officer Ritter gave, and we will honor his memory and compassion. We will continue to carry his legacy in our hearts.”

After the shooting, city officials called a press conference at about 6:30 a.m. on Thursday.

“Our men and women out there every day, stories criticizing their work, they work hard. They risk their lives. They risk everything they have to protect the community,“ Todd said at the press conference.

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The chief said the death of the officer is a very tough situation for them all and it’s hitting everyone on the force hard.

Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb and the police chief said the men and women of the police force work to protect citizens every day, and are now dealing with a terrible loss.

Bibb asked for the city to pray for the officer’s family and for all the officers, especially in light of the July 4 holiday.

“That freedom depends on the men and women of our police department — not just in Cleveland. Cleveland, let’s uplift the men and women of our police department this Fourth of July season if you can,” Bibb said.

Around 6 a.m. Thursday, a long procession of police motorcycles and police officers escorted a van from University Hospitals.

“This is a very sad day for the officer’s family, his family in blue and the City of Cleveland,” Cleveland police union President Andy Gasiewski said Thursday morning.

The community has started paying respects to the fallen officer by placing flags, flowers and gifts around the Cleveland police cruiser parked in front of the police station.

According to information given to the FOX 8 I-Team, a 24-year-old man was taken into custody. The man, later identified as Delawnte Hardy, has been booked into the Cuyahoga County jail.

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Bibb released a statement Thursday morning saying, “I am heartbroken about the devastating loss of one of our Cleveland Division of Police officers today. Our entire city mourns the tragic loss of this dedicated public servant. We will fully support the investigation and ensure that the perpetrator is swiftly brought to justice to the fullest extent of the law. My deepest condolences go out to the family, friends, and colleagues of our fallen officer. Please pray for his family and the Cleveland Division of Police as we mourn this senseless loss.”

Stick with FOX 8 News and FOX8.com for more on this developing story.

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