On May 10, 2023, at approximately 10:55 p.m., Cameron Police Department officers responded to a report of a gunshot victim in the 700 block of North Travis Avenue in Cameron, Texas. The victim, who had been shot in the back of the neck, informed officers that her spouse, identified as 29-year-old Albert Rafael Acosta, was responsible for the shooting.
Following the initial investigation, law enforcement obtained a search warrant for Acosta's residence in the 500 block of East 7th Street. Officers from the Cameron Police Department, Milam County Sheriff's Office, Rockdale Police Department, and the Texas Department of Public Safety collaborated to execute the warrant. Upon arrival, Acosta opened fire on the officers, who returned fire in response. During the exchange, Sergeant Joshua Lee Clouse, a 39-year-old officer with the Cameron Police Department, sustained critical injuries. He was transported to a nearby emergency room, where he succumbed to his wounds. Acosta was also fatally wounded during the shootout.
Sergeant Clouse was a U.S. Army veteran and is survived by his wife and two children. His death marked the first line-of-duty fatality for the Cameron Police Department since 1935. In the wake of this tragedy, the 100 Club of Central Texas activated its Survivor Fund to support Sergeant Clouse's family, and the community held memorials to honor his service and sacrifice.
The Texas Rangers were requested to lead the investigation into the incident. The initial domestic violence incident, which led to the fatal confrontation, underscores the inherent dangers law enforcement officers face when responding to such calls. Sergeant Clouse's dedication to protecting his community was evident in his actions, and his loss has been deeply felt throughout Cameron and beyond.
