KOSSUTH COUNTY, Iowa — It's the end of the line for Kyle Ricke, the man found guilty of murdering Kevin Cram, an Algona police officer, in September 2023.
A Kossuth County judge sentenced Ricke to spend the rest of his life in prison without the possibility of parole.
In a packed courtroom Wednesday morning, emotions filled the room from Cram's family, friends and co-workers, many of whom called Ricke's actions cowardly, selfish and immoral.
Ricke was the first to speak in court, apologizing for his actions saying, “I am very sorry for the actions that took place that night, every night I pray for forgiveness from the family. I’m very regretful for the hurt and pain that I caused them, and I pray that one day they can forgive me for my horrible actions.”
It was the first opportunity for Cram's family to directly address Ricke.
Victim impact statements were heard from Cram's father, brothers, grandmother, his widow and a statement on behalf of Cram's seven-year-old son.
"Right now, I should be celebrating my wedding anniversary, but instead I'm here at his murder trial," Lara Cram, Kevin's widow, said.
Cram was described as someone who would do anything to help anybody, someone who always put others first.
The family shared what the past 11 months have been like since Cram's death.
"The pain, suffering and damage you caused is immense, especially the damage you inflicted on those little boys, this is something that is completely unforgivable," said Mark Cram, Kevin Cram's dad.
Each victim impact statement, plus the judge's own comments, called Ricke's actions selfish, and it's those actions that will leave a lasting impact on everyone.
"You not only destroyed a family and children's lives, but your own family and an entire community with your selfishness. This is no one else's fault, but yours," Laura said.
The most powerful and emotional moment of the sentencing came at the end, as the courtroom listened to 96 seconds of Cram's son crying because he misses his dad.
"Your act was cowardly, it was heinous, it was reprehensible, it was beyond selfish and it was immoral," said Judge Nancy Whittenburg.