PO Kevin Cram

Officer: Algona Police Department, Police Officer Kevin Cram

Date: 9/13/2023          Location: Algona, IA              FACTORS (1,2,9,15,17,18)

Perpetrator(s) Involved: Kyle Ricke

Criminal Activity History/Involved: Yes, Ricke was charged with third-degree harassment earlier in the day for harassing an ex-girlfriend during the previous month. / Yes, Ricke was about to be arrested for a warrant.

Mental Illness: Unknown.

Substance Abuse History/Involved: Unknown. / None stated.

Race/Sex/Age: White/Male/43

What prompted the initial contact with the killer? While on patrol at around 8 p.m. on September, 13, 2023, Algona Police Officer Kevin Cram was notified that Kyle Ricke had an active arrest warrant for harassment. PO Cram proceeded to the house he suspected Ricke would be, confronted Ricke there and informed him he was under arrest.

Actions taken by subject toward police: Rather than peacefully complying with PO Cram’s lawful order, Ricke accessed a concealed firearm and fatally shot PO Cram. Ricke then fled the area.

Reactions by the police: A multi-state manhunt ensued and after four hours, officers tracked Ricke down to a relative’s house in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota and arrested him there without further incident.

How murdered? PO Cram was fatally shot while executing an arrest warrant.

What could have been done differently for the officer to still be alive? Since PO Cram was going to make an arrest, for officer safety it would have been better that he did so with a backup officer.

Would the officer have been justified in using deadly force before being murdered? PO Cram would have been justified in using deadly force as soon as he observed Ricke making a furtive movement to access a concealed weapon.

Outcome for the cop-killer: Ricke was captured within four hours and has been charged with first-degree murder.