Remembering our Iowa heroes in blue

Few things strike at the heart of a community more than when a police officer is lost in the line of duty. As a community and as a nation, we mourn their loss, recognizing that their sacrifice came in defense of our freedom and way of life. Recently, thousands of Americans gathered in Washington, D.C., to commemorate National Police Week, a time of year when we reflect upon the men and women in law enforcement who lost their lives in the line of duty the year before.

Last year, 136 police officers died or were killed in the line of duty nationwide. Of those, 47 were killed by gunfire, which was the leading cause of death for all on-duty fatalities. The loss of two officers last year hits particularly close to home.

Two of Iowa’s finest, Officer Kevin Cram of the Algona Police Department and Officer Phoukham Tran of the Des Moines Police Department, are among those whose legacies were honored as their names are etched into the walls of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C.

When I served as the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa, I worked closely with our law enforcement partners at the federal, state, and local levels. Those partnerships continued throughout my time as the acting United States Attorney General. I’m still honored to call many of these people my friends.

Though I did not know officers Cram and Tran personally, I know their respective communities well. I know the challenges facing those communities and the important role these officers played in keeping their fellow citizens safe. I also know that their loss created a permanent void in the community, one that even time can never erase.

Officer Kevin Cram was a 10-year veteran of the force when he was shot and killed by a fugitive he was attempting to arrest on Sept. 13, 2023. Officer Cram lost his life while trying to make Algona a safer place by taking a dangerous criminal off the streets. He leaves behind a wife, two sons, a stepson, and countless friends and family.

Less than two months later, on Nov. 2, 2023, Officer Phoukham Tran succumbed to critical injuries sustained while on duty more than a decade earlier. While directing traffic for the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines on Aug. 19, 2011, Officer Tran was gravely wounded when he was struck by an intoxicated driver. Though he initially survived, his injuries left him wheelchair-bound and grappling with significant medical issues that would ultimately cost him his life.

The commitment of these two heroes to serving and protecting their community leaves an indelible mark on our hearts and the fabric of our state. As we move forward, may we carry their legacy of dedication and heroism, ensuring their lives continue to make a difference. In remembering them, we honor our commitment to the values they stood for and remind ourselves of the profound impact one individual can have on the lives of many.

Matt Whitaker is the former Acting United States Attorney General and United States Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa. He is currently the Co-Chair of the Center for Law and Justice at the America First Policy Institute.