The community at large has honored fallen Cleveland policeman from Webster with procession

Rochester, New York – A slain hero was brought home on Tuesday, and local law enforcement, firefighters, and community people gathered in silent observation.

American flags were hung from overpasses during the funeral procession for Webster native and fallen Cleveland police officer Jamieson Ritter, 27, who was shot and killed early on Thursday while performing his duties.

Among the organizations extending their support to Ritter and his family on Tuesday was the West Webster Fire Department.

“Unfortunately, we are having to do this much too often,” West Webster Fire Department Public Information Officer Al Sienkiewicz said. “This is just an indication of a small part of the support that we want the family to know they have come back home to Rochester. As you can hear by the horns going by, there is an awful lot of pride when they see the flag up.”

Jon, Ritter’s father, was a Greece police officer before retiring. He sustained injuries in the 2012 Christmas Eve ambush on Webster’s Lake Road, which left two West Webster firefighters dead and two injured.

“We know Jon very well from our event back in 2012, so he knows who we are, we know who he is, and we just want them to know that we are behind them 100 percent,” Sienkiewicz said.

Ritter had a teacher named Marcella Nesbitt when he was a McQuaid Jesuit student. She appeared on Tuesday in honor of her previous pupil.

“He was one of the fun ones to have in class,” Nesbitt said. “He grew up to be a good man, and I’d like to think that McQuaid had a part in that.”

Serving in the military, Ed Pisconski wished to contribute to the remembrance of a fellow combatant. Ritter has served in the National Guard of the United States Army in the past.

“This is what our country’s all about. It’s patriotic,” Pisconski said. “When one of our brothers has fallen, they’re going to support him.”

Ritter’s wake is scheduled for this Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Falvo Funeral Home in Penfield. The burial will take place at Penfield’s Browncroft Community Church on Saturday at 10 a.m.