ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The body of fallen Cleveland Police Officer Jamieson Ritter was brought back to Rochester from Cleveland this week to be laid to rest during a moving and solemn police escort and procession.

Ritter, 27, was killed in the line of duty on the Fourth of July, having been gunned down serving a warrant.

What You Need To Know

  • A police escort was held for the body of Officer Jamieson Ritter from Cleveland to Webster

  • Webster native Jamieson Ritter was killed in the line of duty on the Fourth of July while working as a Cleveland police officer

  • The calling hours will held at the Falvo Funeral Home in Webster on Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. A funeral service is planned for Saturday at 10 a.m. at Browncroft Community Church in Penfield

Ritter’s police partner said during the funeral service held in Cleveland Monday that Ritter often talked about his family back home in New York and about how he wanted to eventually return to his hometown of Webster.

But this is the last way he would have wanted to come home.

Deputy Chief of Brighton’s Fire Department Ted Aroesty was among the many EMS personnel on hand for the arrival of Officer Ritter’s remains.

“Police, EMS and fire is all just one collective organization when it comes to situations like this," Aroesty said. "And this is an opportunity for us to show our love and comradery for the family that’ll be coming through.”

Ritter grew up in Webster. He graduated from McQuaid Jesuit High School in Brighton in 2015 and is a 2019 Syracuse University graduate. He was a member of SU’s Army ROTC program and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army National Guard. 

“Officer Ritter dedicated much of his young life in service to others," Syracuse said in a statement.

People from the community came out to be there for Ritter as his remains were escorted home, particularly those from the EMS community.

“We have every bridge overpass that the procession will be going through covered from the thruway all the way through to Webster," Aroesty said. "And we want the family to know that we’re here to give them an emotional hug as they come along."

Ritter’s parents and three siblings attended a service for Ritter held in Cleveland on Monday – a church packed with law enforcement.

Ritter’s father, Jon Ritter, is a retired Greece police officer.

Officer Ritter’s partner spoke during the service.

“He was my best friend, my brother, and the absolute epitome of a police officer," Cleveland Patrol Officer Brittany Vajusi said. "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."

The procession came to an end at the funeral home in his hometown where calling hours will take place.

Even there, more people gathered to pay respects to the man the Cleveland Division of Police states served our city with distinction and pride.

The EMS community making sure to their fallen brother’s family knows they have support.

“Whenever they look around and see someone from the emergency services they know that we’re here with them,” said Aroesty.

The calling hours will held at the Falvo Funeral Home in Webster on Friday from 4 to 8 p.m.

A funeral service is planned for Saturday at 10 a.m. at Browncroft Community Church in Penfield.