Tearful funeral recalls slain Algona officer Kevin Cram as man who loved those he served

ALGONA ― It was one of the most emotional moments in an emotional day as a dispatcher's voice rang out.

Hundreds who had gathered at the Algona Community School listened as she called a final time for a response from Officer Kevin Cram.

"55 18, checking code 4," she repeated three times, then announced, "There is no answer from 55 18."

Her voice breaking, she continued, halting occasionally as the shared sorrow flowed through the room:"Algona police officer Kevin Cram ... went 42 for the last time on Sept. 13th, 2023."

"Officer Cram, your brothers and sisters in law enforcement will forever watch over your family. Please rest in peace."

Cram, 33, was shot and killed Sept. 13 while attempting to arrest a suspect on an outstanding warrant. Kyle Ricke, 43, was apprehended across the border in Minnesota after a four-hour manhunt and charged with first-degree murder.

More: Kevin Cram, Iowa police officer for 10 years, followed in his brother's footsteps, grandma said

'Algona lost a great man'

Cram's flag-draped casket was at center stage for the funeral, held in the school's gymnasium, as friends and colleagues remembered him as a dedicated officer and family man.

Among them was Algona Police Chief Bo Miller, who told mourners that Cram was kind and compassionate — someone who took great pride in his work.

"Algona lost a great man," Miller told reporters in a statement before the service began. "Kevin loved his family, and he served the citizens of Algona with integrity, honor and loyalty. Every law enforcement officer should strive to meet Kevin's example. We, at the Algona Police Department, will continue to strive to meet Kevin's example for the citizens of Algona."

Deacon David Penton of Divine Mercy Catholic Parish in Algona said Cram was not quick-tempered, and loved the people he served.

"For the years that I've known the Cram family, especially Kevin, I have known him to be many things," Penton said. "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."

Pastor Lissa Kahl prayed for Cram and the assembled mourners.

"Hold this family, his friends and his fellow officers in your arms as you hold Kevin. Breathe 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."

Some mourners who attended the service wore T-shirts with the phrase "Back the Blue," while others pinned thin blue ribbons to their attire. Miller was among the law enforcement officials wearing a white carnation with a bright red dot — a custom used to honor fallen officers. The white symbolizes a good life and career, while the red serves as a reminder of the blood Cram shed for his community while in the line of duty.

Trees surrounding the school's parking lot were tied with blue ribbons, and dozens of American flags were lined up on the grounds. A handful of homes nearby had "Thin Blue Line" flags draped across their front doors, or small blue porch lights.

Lifelong Algona residents Rick Weishaar and Jamie Totten were among the many who showed support for the Cram family. Standing next to the school's parking lot as they waited for the procession to the interment site in Corwith, they said they knew the Cram family.

Weishaar, 67, had worked with Cram's grandfather at a local scrap metal dealer, while Totten, 43, said Cram mentored her son, who is currently a reserve officer for the Algona Police Department.

Cram was a good officer, they said. He wasn't arrogant, and he was always willing to help, Weishaar said.

They echoed Kahl, who said during the service that "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."

"It's not supposed to happen here," Totten said of Algona, population about 5,300. "We know everybody. It's 'Iowa nice' in this town. Things like this don't happen here."

But Weishaar said he experienced a similar tragedy when his daughter-in-law, Jessica Weishaar, was fatally shot in 2019 during a robbery attempt at a bank in Lu Verne, a city southeast of Algona.

"It was just terrible that it would happen in a small town, but small towns don't mean nothing," he said. "Things happen."

Cram's death came on the 10th anniversary of the slaying in the line of duty of another small-town Iowa police officer, Jamie Buenting of Rockwell City.

Officer recalled as advocate for children with autism

After Cram's service, a line of vehicles proceeded along East McGregor Street, escorting his body.

Eve Block and her daughter, Angel, were among residents lining the street, holding up homemade posters. Theirs featured a photo of Cram. Angel Block's also bore the words "honest," "fearless" and "selfless."

The Blocks said there's a special place in their hearts for Cram. Eve Block said Cram was an advocate for children with autism and supported her daughter while she was in high school.

Angel Block, now 24, recalled how she and Cram spent time together. They'd go out for coffee — they both loved caramel lattes, she said — and he'd ask her about her life. Angel Block said she'd talk his ear off about her five cats, two of them emotional support animals. The Blocks said they're still upset and grappling with Cram's death.

"He was a beacon of light," Eve Block said.

Miller, the police chief, referring to Cram's wife, Lara, told the mourners at the funeral that "I keep wanting to tell Laraand 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, adding that there is a saying that what defines a person is what he does 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."

Editor's note: This article has been updated to correct the spelling of Officer Kevin Cram's wife. It is Lara Cram.

This article has been edited to correct the location of Lu Verne and the church where David Penton serves as deacon.

F. Amanda Tugade covers social justice issues for the Des Moines Register. Email her at ftugade@dmreg.com or follow her on Twitter @writefelissa.

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

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Algona funeral honors Kevin Cram, police officer killed in line of duty