CLEVELAND — A procession and memorial service was held Monday for 27-year-old Cleveland Police Officer Jamieson Ritter, who was killed in the line of duty last week.
What You Need To Know
A procession was held today for 27-year-old Cleveland Police Officer Jamieson Ritter, who was killed in the line of duty last week
Hundreds of law enforcement officers and supporters gathered at the Cathedral of Saint John in downtown Cleveland
Though his life was cut tragically short, Ritter’s friends, family and coworkers say they will never let him be forgotten
Hundreds of law enforcement officers and supporters gathered at the Cathedral of St. John in downtown Cleveland. Ritter is described by his coworkers and peers as a humble and kind man who loved his family, friends and the community.
“If there’s one thing I can ask of everyone here today and everyone watching, from not only Cleveland, New York, but around the world, I ask that you please never forget Jamieson Ritter. In his short 27 years on earth, he touched more lives than I could ever imagine,” said Officer Brittany Vajusi, Ritter’s law enforcement partner.
Advertisement
Vajusi said she often had nightmares of calls that went sideways where she couldn’t save Ritter.
“And although unfortunately and almost sadistically being on July 4, my nightmare came true.,” said Vajusi.
Mourners gather outside the Cathedral of St. John in Cleveland on July 8, 2024 to honor fallen officer Jamieson Ritter, who died in the line of duty on July Fourth. (Spectrum News 1/Kimberly Perez)
According to coworkers of Ritter, he dedicated his life to serving the public.
“His compassion for those in need and his relentless pursuit of justice were evident in every action he took. He was not just an officer, he was a guardian of our community, a beacon of hope and a symbol of strength,” said Chief Dorothy Todd of the Cleveland Police Department.
Advertisement
Ritter, a native of Upstate New York, proudly served in the Army National Guard before working in law enforcement.
“Ritter, thank you for being my friend, and thank you for being the kind of friend I could count on, no matter what. And I hope you knew how truly impactful you were to so many of us. I’m going to miss you. We all are going to miss you,” said Sgt. David Lucero of the Ohio Army National Guard.
Though his life was cut tragically short, Ritter’s friends, family and coworkers said they will never let him be forgotten.
“He was my best friend, my brother, and the absolute epitome of a police officer. And for all 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,” said Vajusi.
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Northeast Ohio starts the week cold and blustery on Monday before a wintry mix moves in Tuesday morning, bringing a brief round of snow, sleet and cold rain to the region.
High pressure will quickly build Monday over the Ohio Valley, offering a mostly dry setup. Skies will turn mostly sunny west of Cleveland with lake-effect clouds hanging on to the east.
Highs will range from the upper 30s to low 40s near the lakeshore and in the snowbelt to the low to mid 40s south and west of Cleveland.
Northwest winds of 14 to 16 mph, with gusts up to 26 mph, will make it feel about 5 to 10 degrees colder at times.
Advertisement
Temperatures will fall back into the mid to upper 20s overnight Monday as clouds increase ahead of the next system.
Wintry mix Tuesday morning
The Tuesday commute could include all snow or a rain-snow mix to start the day, but outside of a few isolated slick spots, accumulations are expected to be minimal.Courtesy National Weather Service
A fast-moving area of low pressure will slide through the Ohio Valley Tuesday, spreading a shield of mixed precipitation into Northeast Ohio around daybreak and during the morning commute.
Most spots will begin with light snow or a rain-snow mix, with a brief window for sleet farther south closer to Akron.
Any frozen precipitation is expected to be minor, accumulating a trace to a few tenths of an inch, at most. A few slick spots could be possible where this mix is persistent, especially in the snowbelt where the air will be the coldest.
As temperatures rise into the upper 30s and low 40s by midday, the mix is expected to change over to plain rain. Cold, damp weather will continue through the afternoon before showers taper off in the evening.
Advertisement
Dry midweek, rain returns late week
A fast-moving system area of low pressure will bring a wintry mix to Northeast Ohio on Tuesday, though accumulations are expected to be minimal. Another system could arrive as early as late Thursday, though that will be all rain.cleveland.com
High pressure builds back across the Great Lakes Tuesday night into Wednesday, leading to a dry but seasonably cool day. Highs Wednesday will reach the mid to upper 40s with lingering clouds.
Another system is expected to approach from the Mississippi Valley late Thursday, bringing rain chances back to the region. Forecast confidence drops late in the week as the weather pattern turns more active, but temperatures are expected to stay mild enough to prevent any frozen precipitation.
Highs Thursday will climb into the low and mid 50s.
More rain chances this weekend
Looking ahead to the weekend, another system may track near the Ohio Valley Friday into Saturday, bringing additional rain chances — especially south of Cleveland toward Akron.
Confidence remains low on the exact track and timing, but temperatures should stay in the upper 40s to low 50s, keeping the precipitation all rain.
Sunday currently looks like the better chance for a dry day.
Advertisement
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State has found its 2026 tight end commit.
Just a day after he was officially offered a scholarship by coach Ryan Day and tight ends coach Keenan Bailey, the Buckeyes earned a commitment from three-star tight end Nick Lautar on Sunday.
He attends Lebanon High School in Ohio and is the No. 924 overall prospect and No. 52 tight end in the 247Sports composite. He was on campus last night on a visit.
Advertisement
He’s the 27th pledge in the 2026 class.
Lautar was Ohio State’s third commitment in two days, as the Buckeyes look to fill out the 2026 class and build out the 2027 class.
Ohio State’s search for a tight end in the cycle is now complete, as Lautar, a 6-foot-5 and 230 pound target, joins the class.
Andrew Gillis covers Ohio State football and recruiting for Cleveland.com. He provides updates on Ohio State football as a whole, its prospects and the Buckeyes each week. He previously covered the Bengals for…
Advertisement
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, along with First Lady Fran and their grandchildren, joined Ohio Department of Natural Resources Director Mary Mertz for a screening of Ohio: Wild at Heart, Friday night at Cleveland’s Natural History Museum.
Ohio: Wild at Heart tells stories of conservation and explores Ohio’s natural playground, with the underlying message “when we take care of nature, nature takes care of us.”
The movie showcases Ohio’s natural wonders with spectacular aerial cinematography of places like the Ohio River, the cliffs and waterfalls of Hocking Hills, and it takes viewers on a journey through Ohio’s great outdoors, including across Lake Erie, featuring the eagles that nest throughout the region.
The film was created by ODNR with the MacGillivray Freeman Films company. It was made specially for IMAX® and giant screen theaters and will be made available across the state. It is narrated by two-time Heisman winner, Ohioan Archie Griffin.
