Holly MatkinCameron, TX – Cameron Police Department (CPD) Sergeant Joshua “Josh” Clouse was murdered in the line of duty on Thursday while serving a search warrant in connection with a domestic violence shooting.
According to the Milam County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO), Cameron Police responded to the 700-block of North Travis Avenue at about 10:55 p.m. on May 10 after receiving a report of a gunshot victim, KXAN reported.
When they arrived at the scene, the victim told police that her spouse had shot her in the back of the neck, according to KWKT.
After an initial investigation, police obtained a search warrant for a residence located in the 500-block of East 7th Street in connection with the incident.
A team of law enforcement officers from the MCSO, the CPD, the Rockdale Police Department (RPD), and the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) all converged on the home to serve the warrant, KWKT reported.
But police said that when they arrived at the scene, the suspect opened fire on them.
Officers returned fire, fatally wounding the gunman.
He was later identified as 29-year-old Rafael Acosta, according to KCEN.
The MCSO confirmed on Thursday morning that a Cameron police officer was shot by the suspect during the shootout, KWKT reported.
The wounded hero was rushed to the nearest hospital emergency room, where he was pronounced deceased.
The CPD later identified him as Sgt. Clouse.
Police said the victim of the initial domestic violence incident suffered a graze wound to the neck and is expected to recover, KCEN reported.
The Texas Rangers are handling the ongoing investigation into the fatal officer-involved shooting at the request of the MCSO, KXAN reported.
In addition to his service with the CPD, the 39-year-old sergeant was also a U.S. Army veteran, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page.
He leaves behind his wife and two young children.
“Josh died doing what he loved by protecting and serving the community,” the slain sergeant’s family said in a statement to KBTX on Friday. “The outpouring of love and support from our community and from across the state has touched our hearts deeply.”
They described Sgt. Clouse as “a true hero.”
“We would also like to extend our deepest condolences to the family of Mr. Acosta,” the family added.
RIP. Texas Sergeant Joshua I. Clouse was murdered when he was shot and killed while executing a search warrant for a suspect wanted for domestic violence. STOP SHOOTING MY POLICE OFFICERS!!! #rip #murdered #hero #SergeantJoshuaClouse #CameronPoliceDepartment #eow #bluelivesmatter pic.twitter.com/DvahSqrqSW
— Protecting the Blue (@protectingblue) May 12, 2023
#endofwatch The family and friends of Sgt. Joshua Clouse are mourning his death after an ambush shooting in Cameron. Authorities say Albert Acosta, 29, shot the police officer, while he and several other agencies were serving a warrant.@25NewsKXXV pic.twitter.com/vlqVyPfzkm
— Trenton Hooker (@trentonhooker) May 12, 2023
▶️NEW: Authorities in Milam County have identified the gunman who killed 39-year-old Cameron Police Sgt Joshua Clouse during a search warrant of the suspect’s home in Cameron.
(The photo below is from an interview we did last year with Sgt Clouse about school safety.)
1/2 pic.twitter.com/twGBEy8SPk
— 🚨 Rusty Surette 🚨 (@KBTXRusty) May 12, 2023
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Cameron Police Department Sergeant Joshua “Josh” Clouse, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Sergeant Joshua Clouse, your life mattered.
