A Cleveland police officer — identified as 27-year-old Jamieson Ritter — was killed in an overnight shooting.

Cleveland Police Chief Annie Todd confirmed the news during a press conference shortly before 7 a.m., saying the officer was with the department for the past four years assigned to the Third District.

Chief Todd said officers received a call to respond to the 1500 block of East 80th “for a male wanted for a felonious assault from a local suburb.”

“Officers arrived on scene and attempted to make contact with the male,” Chief Todd said. “The male did exit the house and tried to leave the area on a bicycle. Officers attempted to arrest the male when the male produced a firearm and began firing multiple times. One of our members was struck by one of those bullets. He was transported to the hospital and he did expire at the hospital from his injuries.”

“This is a really tough situation, and it’s hitting everyone really hard,” Chief Todd said during the news conference.

The suspect — identified as 24-year-old De’Lawnte Hardy — was taken into custody. He was taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure, but Todd said he had no injuries.

Cleveland police say Hardy has been charged with aggravated murder.

Officer Ritter

Ritter graduated from Syracuse University in 2019 and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army National Guard. As a member of the Ohio Army National Guard, he served with the 134th Field Artillery Regiment. After joining the Cleveland Division of Police in November 2020, Ritter deployed to Syria in 2022 with his unit and returned to continue his service with the city of Cleveland in 2023.

He was recently recognized as Officer of the Month.

‘Show our support to our officers’

Chief Todd asked the community to keep Cleveland’s law enforcement in their prayers.

“Our men and women are out there every day,” Chief Todd said. “You see they don’t always get the recognition that they deserve. There’s always stories out there that are criticizing their work or criticizing our staffing. But they go out there, they work hard, they risk their lives, they risk everything they have to protect the community and they care about the community. I hope that this is another time to show our support to our officers. They need it. They deserve it…They need to be recognized for the heroes that they are.”

As for the officer’s family, Chief Todd said she had talked with them several times.

“I can’t even begin to express how they feel. It’s absolutely devastating…there’s nothing that 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,” Chief Todd said.

Mayor Justin Bibb statement

Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb was also at the news conference where he issued a brief statement.

“We just ask the residents in Cleveland to pray for this family, pray for the men and women of our police department — especially as we celebrate this Fourth of July holiday and the freedom that we have in this country,” Mayor Bibb said. “That freedom depends on the men and women of our police department. Not just in Cleveland, but all across the nation. So, Cleveland, let’s uplift the men and women of our police department.”

Then, shortly before 8 a.m., Mayor Bibb issued the following written statement:

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

Watch coverage from our partners at 3News: