Detective Darrel Dale Cate, a dedicated officer with the Buena Park Police Department, tragically lost his life on September 21, 1972, while performing his duties. Detective Cate, aged 45, was engaged in an investigation involving a felony suspect wanted for a sex offense. On that fateful day, he and his partner arrived at a residence on South Emerald Street in Anaheim, where they believed the suspect, known by the alias "Paul Drago," was located. Upon arrival, they encountered a man working under a vehicle in the garage, who claimed that the person they were seeking lived down the street. While Detective Cate's partner went to verify this information, Detective Cate remained at the residence. The man, later identified as Herman Lee Clouston, followed Detective Cate and fatally shot him in the head and chest. Despite being rushed to the hospital, Detective Cate succumbed to his injuries shortly after.
The aftermath of Detective Cate's murder saw an intense manhunt that lasted six days, culminating in the arrest of Herman Lee Clouston. Clouston was subsequently convicted of second-degree murder in 1973 and sentenced to three 10-year jail terms for the murder and other crimes. However, he was released on parole in 1982. Clouston's criminal activities did not cease, and in 2006, he was added to the US Marshals Service 15 Most Wanted List after violating parole on unrelated charges in Virginia. He was eventually apprehended again in 2010 by Deputy U.S. Marshals and task force officers from the Merced County Sheriff's Office and the California Department of Corrections.
Detective Cate's death had a profound impact on the Buena Park community and his family. He was survived by his wife, Patricia, and their five children. The community honored his memory with a memorial service attended by over 1,500 people, including representatives from 48 police departments across the state. Detective Cate was buried with full police honors, including a 21-gun salute, color guard, and bugler. His legacy was further commemorated by the Buena Park City Council, which passed resolutions to plant a memorial tree in his honor at the Buena Park Library and to name a street "Cate Drive."
Detective Cate's dedication to his duty and his ultimate sacrifice are remembered and honored by his colleagues and the community he served. His tragic death underscores the dangers law enforcement officers face and the enduring impact of their service on their families and communities.
