Former Nora Springs police officer identified as Algona officer shot dead

ALGONA — A former Nora Springs police officer who has worked for the Algona Police Department for the last eight years was killed in the line of duty Wednesday night, with his alleged killer being arrested about four hours later on a charge of first-degree murder.

Shortly before 8 o’clock, 33-year-old Kevin Cram was on patrol duty when he was made aware of an active Palo Alto County arrest warrant for 43-year-old Kyle Ricke of Algona.

Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation assistant director Mitch Mortvedt says Cram knew of a possible location of Ricke and went to that area.  “Officer Cram was in the 1100 block of South Minnesota Street in Algona when he observed Kyle Ricke. After advising Ricke that he was going to be placed under arrest, Ricke shot Officer Cram. Officer Cram was located by other officers and local EMS and taken to Kossuth Regional Health Center in Algona where he was pronounced deceased.”

Mortvedt says Ricke was arrested four hours later near Sleepy Eye Minnesota.  — “Kyle Ricke was located and arrested near Sleepy Eye Minnesota at approximately 11:50 PM last night. He has been charged with one count of first-degree murder in Kossuth County Iowa and will be extradited at a later date.”

Mortvedt says Cram served both the Nora Springs and Algona police departments during his career.   “Officer Kevin Cram was a ten-year veteran of the Iowa law enforcement community, serving for the Nora Springs Police Department from 2013-2015 and the Algona Police Department from 2015-2023. We ask that out of respect for the privacy of Officer Cram’s family and the Algona Police Department during this difficult time that you respect their privacy.”

Iowa Department of Public Safety Commissioner Stephen Bayens says Cram died a hero. “Algona police officer Kevin Cram died because he chose to be a beacon of light. Algona police officer Kevin Cram died because he was willing to stand in the gap between good and evil,” Bayens says. 

He says Cram was murdered by a coward. “But that vile act will not deter those of us who are committed to protecting the innocent, to holding evil to account and to seek justice for Kevin,” he says.

Bayens says the hearts of law officers are heavy. “The law enforcement community here in Kossuth county is hurting but they are not broken. They are shaken but their resolve remains strong,” Bayens says.

Bayens says they will continue to honor Cram’s legacy by being that beacon of light in their communities. 

If convicted of first-degree murder, Ricke would face the rest of his life in prison without the opportunity for parole. 

 

This story was updated at 12:45 PM with additional information