Locals honor Webster native Jamieson Ritter, a fallen Cleveland police

Rochester, New York – On Saturday, residents of three cities ran in honor of Jamieson Ritter, a Webster native and fallen Cleveland police officer.

At Rochester’s Public Safety Training Facility, members of the public and local law enforcement community came together to run a mile in Ritter’s honor.

According to organizer and former Gates Police Department chief Jim Vanbrederode, Zechariah Cartledge, a 15-year-old Florida teenager, came up with the concept to start running in honor of dead law enforcement personnel. Members of the Cleveland community and police department, Cartledge in Winter Springs, Florida, and the people here in Rochester all raced in Ritter’s honor.

Ritter lost his life while performing his job on Thursday morning. According to the head of police in Cleveland, Ritter was shot and killed by a suspect who was apparently brandishing a gun while Ritter and three other policemen were trying to apprehend him for felonious assault.

“This is about building community today,” said Vanbrederode. “It’s symbolic, and just remembering Officer Ritter’s sacrifice at such a young age.”

Vanbredrode recalled collaborating with Ritter’s father, a Greece police officer who is currently retired. On Christmas Eve 2012, Jon Ritter was hurt while reacting to a roadside ambush in Webster on Lake Road. The elder Ritter was recognized for his life-saving efforts when he blocked the road and prevented access with his patrol car.

During the mile run, participants carried a flag that, according to Vanbredrode, will be given to Ritter’s family when they got back to Rochester.

Ritter was raised with a strong desire to give back to his community, according to Cleveland police.

Laura McFarlane, a Rochester resident originally from the Cleveland region, was moved by Ritter’s passing and joined the group for a run at the Public Safety Training Facility.

“Just by being here, I think we’re showing support for the family and a lot of love,” said McFarlane.

Retired Rochester Police Sgt. Brett Sobieraski was also present at the marathon today. He ran eight states in remembrance of slain Rochester Police Officer Anthony Mazurkiewicz.

“I’m sure the hell they’re going through is just something that we can’t imagine,” said Sobieraski. “If we can provide them with even a measure of comfort, hopefully this will do that today.”