A Cleveland police officer was shot and killed on the East Side in the early morning hours. The suspect has been identified as 24-year-old Delawnte Hardy, and he has been charged with aggravated murder, according to police.
Police chief Annie Todd and Mayor Justin Bibb held a 6:45 a.m. press conference at which we learned that a 27-year-old officer out of the Third District was shot and killed while on a call for a suspect wanted for felonious assault.
“We ask the residents of Cleveland to pray for this family. Pray for the men and women of our police department, especially as we celebrate this Fourth of July holiday and the freedom we have in this country. That freedom depends on the men and women of our police department, not just in Cleveland, but across the nation,” Bibb said.
Bibb released the following statement on the death of the officer:
“I am heartbroken about the devastating loss of one of our Cleveland Division of Police officers today. Our entire city mourns the tragic loss of this dedicated public servant.