Cleveland Officer Killed by Suspect Who Murdered His Own Grandmother

Cleveland Police Officer Jamieson Ritter was killed July 4 trying to arrest a man who is accused of shooting his own grandmother in the face.Cleveland Division of Police

A Cleveland, Ohio, Police officer was shot and killed July 4 while trying to arrest a suspect who shot his own grandmother.

Officer Jamieson Ritter was rushed from the scene to the hospital where he succumbed to his wounds.

The suspect’s grandmother was shot and mortally wounded on June 29, WKYC reports. She died July 4. Police say her grandson stole her handgun and shot her in the face.

"Officers arrived on scene and attempted to make contact with the male," Cleveland Division of Police Chief Annie Todd said during a press conference last week. "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."

The suspect in both murders, De’Lawnte Hardy, is being held on $5 million bond.

Officer Ritter served with the Cleveland Division of Police for four years.

Officer. Ritter was recently honored as the Cleveland Police Foundation’s Police Officer of the Month in May for attempting to save a shooting victim.

On Feb. 2, 2024, Ritter and a fellow officer attempted to save the life of a shooting victim. That man died.

On May 9, 2024, Ritter and a fellow officer managed to save the life of another shooting victim while interviewing him about the suspect. The information they gathered led to the suspect’s arrest.