In Cleveland, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio is set to honor National Police Week from May 11-17, 2025. This week is dedicated to recognizing the service and sacrifice of law enforcement at federal, state, and local levels.
Acting U.S. Attorney Carol M. Skutnik stated, “This week as we remember those who lost their lives in the line of duty, it’s especially tough for our District, as several communities continue to mourn the loss of two of our local police officers. We honor and pay tribute to them, and to the others throughout the country, who have paid the ultimate price while protecting our communities.” She added a note of gratitude: “To these courageous men and women, we say thank you.”
According to data from the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) 2024 Annual Report, 148 law enforcement officers died nationwide in 2024 while on duty. Among them were four officers from Ohio; two fatalities occurred within the Northern District.
The first fatality was Jacob Derbin from Euclid Police Department. On May 11, 2024, Officer Derbin was shot while responding to a call involving death threats made against a woman by an ex-boyfriend. The second officer was Jamieson Ritter from Cleveland Division of Police who was shot on July 4, 2024, during an arrest warrant operation.
The names of all fallen officers will be engraved on the wall at the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial. Their names will also be read aloud at the Candlelight Vigil in Washington D.C., scheduled for May 16 at 8 p.m., which will be live-streamed on NLEOMF's YouTube channel.
Locally in Cleveland, various events organized by the Cleveland Police Memorial Society will take place including a grave marker ceremony and candlelight vigil. A parade featuring local agencies is planned for May 16 at 10:30 a.m., with further details available online.
Additional memorial events are scheduled across Akron, Canton, Youngstown, Toledo, Mansfield, and Elyria within Ohio's district.
President John F. Kennedy first proclaimed Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week in 1962 to commemorate law enforcement officers' service and sacrifices annually on May 15.
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