Family of slain Dayton officer to convene prayer service DALE HUFFMAN COMMENTARY It has been eight years since Dayton police Officer Kevin Brame was shot in the back and killed outside a home at 624 Cherry Drive. His parents and close friends call it an “assassination.” They plan to gather at 7 p.m. Thursday at Zion Baptist Church, 1684 Philadelphia Drive, to pray for justice. The slaying occurred Nov. 1, 1999, and there have been no arrests. The Dayton cold case detective team continues to investigate the slaying. Brame, 31 when he died, was ambushed from behind after dropping off his two young sons at the home of his estranged wife, Carla Brame, who has since moved from Dayton. She lives in Texas with her two sons, detectives said, and has refused to cooperate with police or answer questions from reporters. Officer Dan Hill said the members of the investigative team think they have a motive, but explained it would inhibit the investigation to reveal much about what is known. Hill did say there is no indication the killer may have been someone Brame had once arrested. And he also acknowledged that officers think there were at least two people involved in the crime. “We do not think it was a spontaneous crime,” Hill said. Brame’s mother, Rosemary Peters Brame, and his father, Gerald Brame, a retired Dayton detective, are inviting the community to join them for Thursday’s memorial prayer service. Helping with preparations is Margaret Peters, Rosemary Brame’s sister and a Dayton teacher and historian. “We are calling it the sea son of prayer and justice for my son, and all other victims of violence School, she said, “then on in the Miami June 17, 1993, he became a Valley,” the proud member of the police mother said. department.” “All families result of violence are welcome to join us and pray for justice and peace” She continued, “Kevin was and loved intelligent, responsible, out ones who going and had a great sense lost some Kevin Brame of humor. Slain in 1999 He loved sports and idolized football great Jerry Rice. He played soccer and was on the swim team, the yearbook staff, and was in the city Dayton member of the Junior Council She added.” “It has now been on World Affairs while in high eight long years since my son school. was taken from me. Kevin was “Kevin had a promising a good man and he put his life future. He was loved. And he on the line for this city for six is greatly missed. Until this years. Our struggle gets hard- horrific crime is solved, there er and harder each year that can be no peace for us. We goes by with no justice for pray unceasingly for justice Kevin.” for Kevin.” Kevin always loved being a There continues to be a police officer, she said. reward of up to $100,000 ” “To be a good cop’, was his for information leading to ultimate goal,” she said. “Keus the arrest and conviction of in wrote those words on a Brame’s killer. job application. He wanted to Dale Huffman wants your story ideas. leave a legacy of service.” This column is for you. Send e-mail Brame joined the Air Force to dhuffman a Dayton DailyNews.com Reserves after graduating or write him at 1611 S. Main St., Dayfrom Colonel White High ton, OH 45409. Fax: (937) 225-2489. Phone: (937) 225-2272.