Iowa Police Officer Killed in Line of Duty
Tragedy struck as an Iowa police officer lost his life while attempting to apprehend a suspect. Officer Kevin Cram of the Algona Police Department was fatally shot on a fateful Wednesday evening. The incident unfolded just before 8 p.m. when Cram sought to arrest 43-year-old Kyle Ricke. Mitch Mortvedt, the Assistant Director of the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, confirmed the heartbreaking news. Cram, a dedicated 33-year-old officer, husband, and father with a career spanning since 2015, succumbed to his injuries at a hospital.
This tragic event triggered a Blue Alert, a signal to the public that a potentially dangerous individual was at large. Fortunately, authorities managed to capture Ricke without further incident shortly before midnight. He was taken into custody in Brown County, Minnesota, which lies approximately 100 miles north of Algona.
Suspect Charged with First-Degree Murder
In the aftermath of this devastating incident, Kyle Ricke now faces a first-degree murder charge. The Brown County Sheriff’s Office in Minnesota released his booking photo in connection with the fatal shooting of Algona, Iowa, Police Officer Kevin Cram on September 13, 2023.
Despite the profound sorrow that enveloped the community and law enforcement agencies, Iowa Public Safety Commissioner Stephan Bayens remained resolute. Speaking at a news conference, he described the situation as “tragic, heartbreaking, gut-wrenching pain and agony.” Nevertheless, he emphasized the determination to persevere and continue their duties.
Officer Cram had been on patrol in Algona, a town with approximately 5,300 residents, when he received information about an arrest warrant issued for Ricke, related to a harassment charge. Cram confronted Ricke and informed him of the impending arrest. It was during this encounter that Ricke opened fire, according to Mortvedt.
Currently, Kyle Ricke is being held in Minnesota pending extradition, while additional details surrounding the case emerge. Attempts to reach Ricke’s attorney in the harassment case were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.