SYRACUSE, N.Y. — From Ohio, to Rochester and now Syracuse, Cleveland Police Officer Jamieson Ritter has touched the lives of several communities, and now has the privilege of honoring his own life. Ritter, 27, was shot and killed on July 4 while serving an arrest warrant in Cleveland. He was a native of Webster, N.Y., and went on to graduate from Syracuse University.

Throughout the football season, Syracuse takes the time to honor their hometown heroes every game. Saturday's game was Military Appreciation Day, but also featured Ritter as their hometown hero.  

With football season in full swing, it's a time of year the Ritter’s family says Jamieson often looked forward to during his years spent at the university from 2015-19. In the fall of 2015, Ritter enrolled at Syracuse University and joined the Army ROTC program. He graduated in 2019 with an undergraduate degree in communications and rhetorical studies from the College of Visual and Performing Arts. He was also commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant of Field Artillery through the Stalwart Battalion Army ROTC program.

“The memories that it sparks is Jamieson's happiness,” Jamieson’s mother Karen Ritter said. “He was very happy. He was proud to be part of this university community and looked very much forward to being a part of the ROTC program and continuing his life in military and police work. So it does bring back his joy in his happiness and excitement to be a part of this community. And we would actually like to thank law enforcement and the military for their service in the community as this is part of honoring them today as well.”

The Ritter family hopes those who attend the game continue to never forget who their son was, his commitment to the community and the ultimate sacrifice he had made being killed in the line of duty.

“We're just hoping that people realize that police are your friends, military, your friends. Without these people, we would not have the freedoms that we actually have today,” Jamieson’s father Jon Ritter said. “You know, these people work long hours and in very dangerous conditions. And I think people really need to appreciate that more and really look into, you know, the things that happened to our son and hope that it never happens again to anybody.”

The Syracuse University Office of Veterans and Military Affairs says Ritter was passionate about serving both his community and country. Recognized for his bravery, he and his partner saved lives through heroic actions and were recently named officers of the month. In honor of his service, a memorial scholarship has been established to support future ROTC cadets.