ALGONA, Iowa — An Algona police officer was shot and killed Wednesday night, with the suspect arrested in Minnesota.
Ofc. Kevin Cram of the Algona Police Department was on patrol Wednesday night when he was informed of an arrest warrant against 43-year-old Kyle Lou Ricke, the Iowa Department of Public Safety said at a press conference Thursday. When Cram attempted to make an arrest, Ricke shot him.
The shooting happened in the 1100 block of South Minnesota Street, just north of the Kossuth County Fairgrounds.
"Police officer Kevin Cram died because he answered the call to serve. Algona police officer Kevin Cram died because he chose to be a beacon of light," Iowa Department of Public Safety Commissioner Stephen Bayens said. "Algona police officer Kevin Cram died because he was willing to stand in the gap between good and evil. Algona police officer Kevin Cram died a hero."
Cram worked in law enforcement for 10 years, first with the Nora Springs Police Department followed by the Algona Police Department.
Algona officials asked the public to stay indoors as they searched for the suspect.
Ricke was taken into custody in Minnesota and is currently being held at the Brown County Jail (MN). He is charged with Murder in the First Degree.
Local 5 is on the scene in Algona as of Thursday morning and will update this story as more information becomes available. Download the We Are Iowa app or subscribe to Local 5's "5 Things to Know" email newsletter for the latest.