Brame kin mark anniversary of officer’s death

Ben Sutherly, Dayton Daily News
Oct. 31, 2005

DAYTON — Frustrated family members and friends of Kevin Brame called for justice during a candlelight vigil and rally Sunday, the eve of the sixth anniversary of the Dayton police officer’s death. “It is an abomination, it is an outrage that six years later no one has been charged,” said the Rev. Monika Intsiful, an associate minister at Omega Baptist Church whose daughter and Brame were friends.

Her words triggered applause and cries of agreement among the crowd of about 75 who attended the vigil at Zion Baptist Church.

[frame href=”http://justiceforkevinbrame.lndo.site/app/uploads/2010/08/candlelight.jpg” position=”left”] Candlelight [/frame]”When our children were small, they’d often say, ‘That’s not fair,’ ” recalled Rosemary Brame, who with her husband, Gerald, thanked the crowd for their support and prayers. “It certainly wasn’t fair to Kevin.”

Brame, 31, was ambushed Nov. 1, 1999, outside 624 Cherry Drive, the home of his estranged wife.

Blasted once in the neck with a shotgun, the off-duty officer died in the driveway after dropping off his children.

“Citizens, police and prosecutors, if any one of those falls down, you’re in the position we’re in today,” Mrs. Brame said following the vigil. She’s convinced someone has information about her son’s death.

“No justice, no peace” was a common refrain during the vigil, which featured performances by the choir at Colonel White High School, Brame’s alma mater.

Mayor Rhine McLin acknowledged the “devastating impact” Brame’s death has had on those who loved him, adding, “Our police department will be doing their best to bring closure.”

Assistant Chief of Police Wanda Smith read a statement on behalf of Director of Police Julian K. Davis, who was in Washington, D.C., on Sunday, saying Brame’s family was “in the thoughts and prayers of the Dayton Police Department.”

At the end of the service, 17 people lit candles. Each spoke the name of a loved one who had been a victim of violence.

Contact Ben Sutherly at 335-0509.

Copyright, 2005, Cox Ohio Publishing. All rights reserved. Reprinted with Permission.