Cleveland, Ohio – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio is observing National Police Week from May 11 through May 17, 2025, in remembrance of the law enforcement officers who have died or were injured while serving their communities. The annual commemoration pays tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, with this year holding deeper meaning for many across Ohio.
“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,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Carol M. Skutnik. “To these courageous men and women, we say thank you.”
According to the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Fund’s (NLEOMF) 2024 Annual Report, 148 law enforcement officers died in the line of duty across the United States in 2024. Four of those officers were from Ohio, including two fatalities within the Northern District of Ohio. The first death in the district occurred on May 11, 2024, when Officer Jacob Derbin, age 23, of the Euclid Police Department, was killed while responding to a domestic disturbance. Officer Derbin had been assisting a woman who was receiving death threats from her ex-boyfriend. It was during this call that Derbin was fatally shot. Just under two months later, on July 4, 2024, Officer Jamieson Ritter, age 27, of the Cleveland Division of Police, lost his life. Officer Ritter was shot and killed while serving an arrest warrant, becoming the second fatality of the year in the Northern District.
National and Local Memorials Planned
The names of all officers who died in 2024 will be engraved on the wall of the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial in Washington, D.C. These names will also be read aloud during the 37th Annual Candlelight Vigil on Friday, May 16, 2025, at 8 p.m. The ceremony will be streamed live via the NLEOMF’s YouTube channel, available at https://www.youtube.com/TheNLEOMF, allowing communities nationwide to join in solemn remembrance.
In Ohio, the Cleveland Police Memorial Society will organize a range of public events to honor those lost. These include a grave marker ceremony, a candlelight vigil, and other gatherings dedicated to fallen officers. One of the most prominent events will be the Police Week Parade, taking place Friday, May 16 at 10:30 a.m. in Cleveland. Multiple law enforcement agencies—from local and county departments to state and federal units—are expected to participate. Additional information can be found at policememorialsociety.org. Beyond Cleveland, memorial services and events will be held across the Northern District, with planned activities in Akron, Canton, Youngstown, Toledo, Mansfield, and Elyria, offering other communities a chance to reflect, honor, and stand in solidarity.
A Tradition of Honor Since 1962
Peace Officers Memorial Day, observed annually on May 15, falls in the middle of Police Week. The tradition dates back to 1962, when President John F. Kennedy first proclaimed a national day of remembrance for law enforcement. This day specifically recognizes officers who were killed or disabled while serving, and it has since become a moment of unity and gratitude across the nation.
As this year’s events unfold, the Northern District of Ohio joins the rest of the country in remembering those who gave their lives protecting others. Their service, courage, and sacrifice will not be forgotten.
