Cleveland, Ohio Police Officer Jamieson Ritter Memorial Run

CLEVELAND (WJW) – Support continues to pour in for fallen Cleveland Police Officer Jamieson Ritter as colleagues and loved ones honor his legacy and sacrifice.

Hundreds of people gathered Saturday morning in downtown Cleveland at the Greater Cleveland Peace Officers Memorial on Lakeside Avenue to pray and hold a moment of silence for Ritter. The group then did a short run in formation around the block, ending at the memorial, where flowers were placed.

The 27-year-old Cleveland police officer was fatally shot in the line of duty on July 4 while working to apprehend a suspect wanted in a shooting in Garfield Heights.

Many of the race attendees were fellow Cleveland police officers, several were Ritter’s classmates at Academy 147.

“He’s someone you want to be like,” said Officer Shanautica Gardner. “He’s a reflection of you as a person.”

“He knew how to cheer you up if you were having a bad day,” said Officer Joe Walsh. “He was always there to help you if you needed it. You could call him anytime.”

Several members of Ritter’s family were present at the event, overwhelmed with emotion as they continue to grieve.

Cleveland Police Chief Dorothy Todd has been speaking out on behalf of the devastated family.

“There are no words to describe the loss of a child,” Todd said. “And right now, all we’re doing is offering support and trying to be their voice as much as possible while they’re here.”

A memorial continues to grow on Ritter’s patrol car, which cruises through town at the Third District police headquarters. Ritter’s colleagues said he taught them many lessons, including how to be a great leader and an even better friend.

“We’re going to miss him, you know?” Gardner said. “He was one of the best leaders we had in our class from day one to his last few days. So we’re going to miss him, and it hurts, but we’re going to try to continue to be like him every day and continue to be like he was.”

Ritter’s memorial service will be Monday, July 8, at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist on Superior Avenue at 10 a.m.

His funeral will take place in his home state of New York.