Algona police officer Kevin Cram, killed in shooting, remembered for service during funeral

The funeral service for Kevin Cram, the Algona police officer killed last week was held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Ed & Betty Wilcox Performing Arts Center, 600 S. Hale St., in Algona.

"He displayed remarkable bravery and selflessness in the face of danger, upholding the oath he had taken to protect his community," his obituary said.

The casket was led out shortly before 12:30 p.m., followed by family, officers and the assembly.

End of watch: Emotional dispatcher announces officer Kevin Cram's final call to close funeral

An emotional dispatcher made one final call to Algona officer Kevin Cram to close his funeral service on Wednesday. A female voice announced that he went "42," a sign for ending a shift for the final time and vowed to watch over his family.

Pastor encourages mourners to 'hold this family, his friends and his fellow officers in your arms as you hold Kevin'

Before going into scripture reading, Kahl said, "This past week we have found ourselves in a place of disorientation, a world that gave us a sense of order and reliability has been shaken."

Kahl then read two scriptures from the bible chosen my Cram's grandmother. She read John 15: 9-17, which reminds us that that there is no greater love than to lay down one's life for their friends, and Psalm 23: 1-6, which begins with "The Lord is my shepherd."

She then asked for someone with a lighter to step forward from the crowed to light a candle and ,"let their light shine." A man in a blue button up shirt stepped forth, lighting the tall candle.

Deacon David Penton said, "For the years that I've known the Cram family, especially Kevin , I have known him to be many things. An officer, a husband, a father, a son, a fisherman, a hunter, and on and on. But looking back at Kevin's short life, I find him to be a Christian in all ways. He lived this by example in all he did."

Cram, Penton said, was not quick tempered. He cared, a giver of chances and a peacemaker. He knew the evil out there but still put on the badge every day and loved the people he served.

"Hold this family, his friends and his fellow officers in your arms as you hold Kevin. Breath into them your peace," Kahl said. "...We are so grateful for all that Kevin offered and for the time Kevin walked with us, even as we long for more."

Retired Algona Police Chief Kendall Pals encourages mourners to be kind and compassionate, like Cram was

Though it may be hard to be positive on a day like today, retired Algona Police Chief Kendall Pals noted it's important to remember who Cram was in the 33 years he was alive. He encouraged mourners to remember him by being kind and compassionate with others, "living the life that Kevin did."

He said Cram was one of the best officers in the area. He could've gone anywhere but decided to serve his community where his friends and family were.

"Kevin can be described as an officer who took his responsibility seriously, didn't shy away from difficult tasks, helped others in their greatest time of need, always strived to achieve a higher level, never forgot who you worked for and simply did the right things," Pals said.

Rewatch the entire funeral

Algona Chief Bo Miller thanks family of fallen officer Kevin Cram for raising a man of integrity and service

Cram always handled calls with compassion and took so much pride with his work and always willing to help out a fellow officer, chief Bo Miller said.

He was a loving father, husband and proud chicken owner, especially admiring the Iowa blue chicken. Miller recounts scrolling back through his messages to find a conversation from three years earlier.

"He sent me multiple articles on it. I laughed at it and never read them," Miller said. "Well, last night I read those articles. They are pretty great chickens."

The crowd erupted in laughter. Miller then said, "And when Kevin loved something, there was no questioning that love. I keep wanting to tell Laura and her family, 'I am sorry, I am sorry, I am sorry,' over and over again, hoping I can change something. But what I realized is I need to say thank you."

He then thanked the family for raising a man with integrity, a brother and a man of service

There is a saying that what defines a person is what they do when no one is looking, "I believe that was written for Cram" he said, "because no matter what he was doing it was for good."

"There's not been one police officer here in Algona, Kossuth County, in the state of Iowa or even in this nation that hasn't questioned, 'why do we do this job,' and ' is it worth it?'" he said. " And it is in times like this that make us want to question that thought even more."

Right now, Miller said is the most important time to be a law enforcement officer, to "hold the line" and "be a beacon of light."

"We know a large percentage of Iowa back us up," he said. "unfortunately, most of the time a small percent is heard." Miller said the majority support is the reason officers get up and put on their badge every day.

Funeral ceremony for fallen officer Kevin Cram begins in Algona

An American flag draped the coffin as officers rolled it into the gymnasium shortly after 10:30 a.m. Mourners stood silently with their hands clasped in front as "Going Home" played over the speakers. A line of officers walked past the coffin in salute, followed by mourners with their hands over their hearts and dozens of uniformed personnel.

Algona Police chief makes statement before the Kevin Cram funeral service

Algona Police Chief Bo Miller stood in front of several mics before to procession thanking Iowans, the county, state and country for the "overwhelming support."

"Algona lost a great man," Miller said. "Kevin Cram lived the life of being a hero, and he died one."

Cram — a husband, son, brother and father — served the residents of Algona, "with integrity, honor and loyalty."

A rundown of what to expect during officer Kevin Cram's service

According to the funeral itinerary, the procession of the casket and family will be led by the Mason City Honor Guard, followed by a rolling salute with the Mackenzie Highlanders Pipes and Drums of Iowa playing "Going Home."

Pastor Lissa Kahl of Corwith United Methodist Church will lead the service in prayer before Jonathan Chambers performs a solo of "Amazing Grace My Chains are Gone," the itinerary said. Commissioner Stephen Bayens will read the police officer's prayer, followed by the eulogy given by Algona Chief Bo Miller and retired Algona Chief Kendall Pals.

Scriptures are scheduled to be read by Kahl and Deacon David Penton of Devine Mercy Catholic Parish, according to the itinerary. Kahl will then go into prayer commendation and benediction before Paul Harvey reads the Policeman's Prayer.

The service will end with bagpipes playing "Amazing Grace," according to the itinerary.

How the shooting occurred

Shooting suspect Kyle Ricke, 43, was arrested in Minnesota after a four-hour manhunt and charged with first-degree murder in the death of Algona police officer Kevin Cram.

The shooting happened at about 8 p.m. Sept. 13, in the 1100 block of South Minnesota Street in Algona, a few blocks north of the Kossuth County Fairgrounds, according to the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.

33-year-old Cram was on patrol in the town of about 5,300 residents, when he was called about an arrest warrant for a harassment charge out of Palo Alto County.

Cram went to a home on Minnesota Street, where he believed Ricke could be, according to Mitch Mortvedt, assistant director of the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. The incident took place near a ravine behind a quiet residential neighborhood on the south side of town. Mortvedt said it's unclear whether it was Ricke's home or a family member's.

When Cram told Ricke he was going to be placed under arrest, Ricke allegedly shot him with a handgun, according to a release from the Iowa Department of Public Safety.

Officers and first responders took Cram to the Kossuth Regional Health Center in Algona where he died, according to the release. The state medical examiner will perform an autopsy on Cram. The investigation is ongoing.

Cram is the 219th officer to die in the line of duty in Iowa, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page. Some died of natural causes or in car crashes. There have been 141 officers killed by another person, whether it's gunfire or assault.

What we learned from Kevin Cram's obituary

Cram was a husband and father, according to his obitutary. He had a passion for hunting, fishing and being outdoors, spending "countless hours in the woods and on the water." His love of nature extended to animals. According to the obituary, he raised cattle and chicken. He was a Green Bay Packers fan and gun enthusiast- especially with antique models.

"Kevin lived a life filled with passion and adventure," the obituary said.

A memorial fund has been established for Cram's family at Iowa State Bank, 5 E. Call St., Algona, Iowa, 50511.

Reporter Virginia Barreda contributed to this story.

Noelle Alviz-Gransee is a breaking news reporter at the Des Moines Register. Follow her on Twitter@NoelleHannika or email her at NAlvizGransee@registermedia.com.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Funeral held for Algona police officer killed in shooting last week