Cleveland, OH

Family releases statement ahead of funeral for fallen Cleveland officer Jamieson Ritter

Published

2 years ago

July 13, 2024

Family releases statement ahead of funeral for fallen Cleveland officer Jamieson Ritter

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Fallen Officer Jamieson Ritter will be honored and laid to rest at his funeral in Webster, New York Saturday morning.

According to his obituary, Officer Ritter’s wake went from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday evening at Falvo Funeral Home.

His funeral Saturday will be at Browncroft Community Church at 10 a.m.

19 News will stream the funeral online beginning at 10 a.m.

The family of Officer Ritter released the following statement ahead of the funeral:

We are deeply saddened at the loss of our beloved family member who was tragically killed in the line of duty. As a Cleveland police officer and a leader in the Ohio National Guard, he selflessly served his nation, his state and his community with unwavering commitment and bravery. His courage and dedication to protecting others were the driving force in his life that has been tragically cut short.
We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for the outpouring of support from the Cleveland and Rochester communities during this difficult time. It is a testament to the impact that Jamieson had on those around him and the legacy he leaves behind.
We kindly ask for privacy as our family collectively mourns his loss during this period of profound grief. We will remember him, and all those who have given their lives in defense of the nation and protection of our communities. While the community mourns the loss of a dedicated public servant, the Cleveland Police Department mourns the loss of a friend and colleague, the Ohio National Guard mourns the loss of a brother in arms, New York State mourns the loss of a native son – our family mourns the unfathomable loss of a son, a brother, a nephew, uncle and a cousin. We will forever remember him as a hero who gave his life in the line of duty.

Several Cleveland officers will travel to Webster for the funeral.

On Monday, hundreds of people attended the memorial service to honor Officer Ritter.

Officer Ritter, 27, was fatally shot in the line of duty while serving a felonious assault arrest warrant in the 1500 block of E. 80th St. around 1 a.m. on Thursday, July 4.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Fallen Cleveland officer Jamieson Ritter’s Ohio Army National Guard unit remembers his ‘selfless service’

The procession to the Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist on Superior Avenue downtown began just after 9 a.m. Monday from Chambers Funeral Home in the 4200 block of Rocky River Dr.

Before arriving at the cathedral, the procession drove past the Cleveland Police Third District, where Officer Ritter was assigned.

Several people spoke during the memorial service; including, Cleveland Police Chief Dorothy Todd, Sergeant 1st Class David Lucero of the Ohio Army National Guard and Officer Ritter’s partner, Cleveland Police Officer Brittany Vajusi.

“He was not just an officer,” Chief Todd said. “He was a guardian of our community, a beacon of hope, and a symbol of strength.”

Officer Vajusi said her partner truly impacted the neighborhoods they served.

“Whether it was stopping to buy kids birthday cakes when we saw them celebrating in their backyards, stopping to let little boys and girls get in the front seat of our zone car and look around,” Officer Vajusi said.

Officer Ritter will live on forever in their hearts as a hero.

“For all that he gave to everyone that he knew and didn’t know, the least we can ever do to give back to him is to remember and to share his legacy forever,” Officer Vajusi said.

Cleveland 19 News is accepting condolences for the Ritter family.

Delawnte Hardy, 24, is charged with aggravated murder for the death of Officer Ritter. He is being held on a $5 million bond at the Cuyahoga County Justice Center.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Cleveland police officer fatally shot in the city’s Hough neighborhood, suspect charged

Hardy was taken into custody immediately after the shooting on July 4.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Bond set at $5M for suspect in fatal shooting of Cleveland police officer

Garfield Heights Police Chief Mark Kaye said Hardy is also a suspect in the shooting of his grandma, Beatrice Porter, 63, on June 29.

Porter died from her injuries on July 4.

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Cleveland, OH

E. 9th Street exit to close Monday, affecting downtown Cleveland commuters through late October

Published

9 hours ago

June 29, 2026

Press Room

E. 9th Street exit to close Monday, affecting downtown Cleveland commuters through late October

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is preparing to close a ramp into downtown Cleveland that will be a major disruption for the rest of the summer.

19 News spoke with Jacob McCullough, who lives downtown. He said he will now have to give himself much more time for travel.

“Anywhere from 20 to 30 minutes,” McCullough said.

Nathaniel Birach drives into downtown every week from Vermilion and uses the E 9th Street exit.

“On busy weekends it already takes 20 minutes to get through the city,” Birach said. “Having to go 2 exits over potentially is going to be another 20 minutes are so on both ends”

On June 29, the eastbound exit to E. 9th St. will close and is not scheduled to reopen until late October.

According to a spokesperson, ODOT was informed by the contractor earlier this month of the closure, and the work is for the new ramp and a new bridge support pier.

All of this work is a part of the Cleveland Innerbelt Modernization Plan.

ODOT is suggesting a detour of exiting on Ontario, then a right on Carnegie to E. 9th St.

This closure will have major impacts on morning commuters trying to get into downtown, as well as ballgame traffic for the Guardians, and any events at Rocket Fieldhouse.

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Cleveland, OH

1 dead, 1 hospitalized after early morning crash: Cleveland EMS

Published

19 hours ago

June 28, 2026

Press Room

1 dead, 1 hospitalized after early morning crash: Cleveland EMS

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Cleveland EMS responded to a fatal crash early Sunday morning.

According to EMS, the accident was at I-71 N and W 130th Street.

When crews arrived, they pronounced a 28-year-old man dead at the scene.

A 35-year-old man was taken to Fairview Hospital in stable condition, EMS said.

Two other men, ages 18 and 21, were also at the scene but declined medical transport.

19 News has made call outs to Cleveland Police on more information on the accident.

This is a developing story. Return to 19 News for updates.

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Cleveland, OH

The Cleveland Cavaliers Announce Their Summer League Schedule

Published

1 day ago

June 28, 2026

Press Room

The Cleveland Cavaliers Announce Their Summer League Schedule

If you’re currently going through a bit of Cleveland Cavaliers withdrawal, you won’t have to wait much longer. Sure, you won’t see Donovan Mitchell or Evan Mobley, but some of the younger, intriguing players could be seeing the floor in the NBA’s Las Vegas Summer League 2026.

This summer, the games will begin on Thursday, July 9th, and go through Sunday, July 19th. All 76 games will air across ESPN platforms and Amazon Prime. Each team will play at least five games. The first four will take place between July 9th-16th. Semi-Final games will take place on Saturday, July 18th, airing on Amazon Prime, with the Championship game airing on July 19th on ESPN.

The Cleveland Cavaliers Schedule:

The Cavs will kick off their Summer League schedule on Friday, July 10th at 4:30 PM EST vs the Indiana Pacers. The game will air on ESPN2. Their schedule of games will be listed below.

Friday, July 10, 4:30 PM EST vs the Indiana Pacers at the Cox Pavilion, airing on ESPN 2.
Sunday, July 12, 4:00 PM EST vs the Detroit Pistons at the Thomas & Mack Center, airing on Amazon Prime
Monday, July 13, 8:00 PM EST vs the Miami Heat at the Cox Pavilion, airing on Amazon Prime
Wednesday, July 15, 5:30 PM EST vs the New Orleans Pelicans at the Cox Pavilion, airing on Amazon Prime

The Cavs will find out their 5th opponent after their first four games are completed, and will see if they are to move on to the semi-finals for the final weekend.

The Cavaliers Potential Summer League Roster:

Mar 15, 2026; Nashville, TN, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks guard Meleek Thomas (1) celebrates after the men’s SEC Conference Tournament Championship against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images | Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

While the roster should be announced in a few days, the Cavaliers have been building organizational depth, starting with drafting Meleek Thomas in the second round of the 2026 NBA Draft. The team reportedly signed Ernest Udeh, Jr. out of Miami (FL) to a two-way contract and has added Texas A&M forward Rashaun Agee, and Florida guard Xavian Lee to Exhibit 10 contracts.

Tyrese Proctor is also a possibility to play for the team, but we know he will be playing with the Australian national team this summer. Expect fellow two-way player Tristan Enaruna to play as well but the Cavs may need to fill their final two-way spot as Riley Minix has been reported to sign with ASVEL in France.

Summer League is a great opportunity for players to get eyes on them and show their potential. This is also how the Cavs have succeeded over the years, finding diamonds in the rough who contribute to the main roster down the road. Let’s see if the Cavaliers find another hidden gem in a few weeks.

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