Man Accused of Killing North Iowa Police Officer Back in Iowa

A judge has set a cash bond of $2 million for the man charged in the killing of a north Iowa police officer last week.

Forty-three-year-old Kyle Ricke of Algona is accused of shooting Algona Police Officer Kevin Cram to death on Wednesday, September 13th as Cram was attempting to serve a warrant for Ricke’s arrest. Ricke made his initial appearance in Kossuth County District Court Thursday afternoon via video conference and Judge Mark Laddusaw announced he’s seen enough evidence for the case to proceed.

Rickie has been charged with first-degree murder, which carries a sentence of life-in-prison if he is convicted. 

Assistant Iowa Attorney General Scott Brown asked the judge to set a cash-only bond of $5 million, noting that the gun that was used in this case has not been recovered, despite law enforcement’s best efforts to search for it. 

Brown added, “I don’t know if it means Mr. Ricke would have access to that gun should he get out of jail, but I think the court should presume that he does.”

Judge Laddusaw settled on $2 million and stipulated it’s cash only. 

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Friday, September 29 at 1 p.m. in Kossuth County District Court. Ricke, who was arrested in Minnesota, is being held at the Kossuth County Jail.

Prior to joining the Algona Police Department, Cram was an officer with Nora Springs Police from 2013 to 2015.