Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Ritter was shot and killed with his own service weapon after making an arrest. Another officer had arrested a drunk man who was making a disturbance. Two of the man's friends followed the officer as he walked the man to jail and continued to urge the officer to release the man. When the suspect encountered Patrolman Ritter he explained the situation and Patrolman Ritter decided to arrest one of the other two as well. As he did so the third man lifted up Patrolman Ritter's coat, grabbed his revolver, and fired five times, fatally wounding Patrolman Ritter. An extensive manhunt turned up both suspects. They were both convicted and served 20 years in prison.
Survivors
Patrolman Ritter was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NJ-E1969A25- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Ritter served with the Ridgefield Park Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Ridgefield Park community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Ritter.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman John Ritter, Jr. is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In NJ, 264 of 646 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 40.9% of this state's fallen. That is 13.3 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Ritter, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How John Ritter, Jr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Served 20 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Ritter, Jr. is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Ritter, Jr. was killed by officer's handgun.