And on Wednesday evening, the 33-year-old’s life was tragically cut short when he was fatally shot by an Algona man as he attempted to serve an arrest warrant.

“Algona Police Officer Kevin Cram died serving his community,” Iowa Department of Public Safety Commissioner Stephan Bayens said during a press conference Thursday morning at the Kossuth County Election Center.

Bayens said Cram answered the call to serve and died because he chose to be a “beacon of light.”

“Algona Police Officer Kevin Cram died because he was willing to stand in the gap between good and evil,” Bayens said. “Algona Police Officer Kevin Cram died a hero.”

-Messenger photo by Kelby Wingert
A memorial for fallen Algona Police Officer Kevin Cram was set up in front of the Kossuth County Law Enforcement Center on Thursday afternoon.

Cram embodied the selfless dedication to serving his community, Bayens said, and was the “bedrock” of the Algona Police Department. Cram was a 10-year veteran of law enforcement, beginning his career in 2013 in Nora Springs. He joined the Algona Police Department in 2015.

“Kevin Cram was an outstanding police officer, but he was much more than that,” Bayens said on Thursday. “More importantly, Kevin Cram was a dad. He was a husband. He was a son. He was a friend. Algona Police Officer Kevin Cram was murdered by a coward and I will not speak his name.”

Bayens called the fallen officer’s slaying a “vile act” and resolved that law enforcement will not be deterred from protecting the innocent, “holding evil to account” and to seek justice for Cram.

“The law enforcement community here in Kossuth County is hurting, but they are not broken,” he said. “They are shaken, but their resolve remains strong. Their hearts are heavy, but they will continue to honor Kevin’s legacy by being that beacon of light in their communities.”

The deadly shooting happened 10 years — to the day — after Rockwell City Police Officer Jamie Buenting was shot and killed by a suspect during a standoff in Rockwell City, on Sept. 13, 2013.

According to the Oakcrest Funeral Services website, a memorial fund has been established for Cram’s family at Iowa State Bank, 5 E. Call St., in Algona.

Serving Our Servants, a Fort Dodge-based organization that supports local first responders, is also raising funds to help support the Cram family. Donations can be made on the www.facebook.com/ServingOurServants Facebook page, or by dropping off checks at Kemna Auto Center in Algona, Kemna Auto Fort Dodge or Shimkat Motor Co. in Fort Dodge.

On Thursday afternoon, Gov. Kim Reynolds ordered all flags in Iowa to be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Friday in honor and remembrance of Cram.