CAMERON, Texas (KXAN) – The Milam County Sheriff’s Office said Thursday an officer with the Cameron Police Department died after a shootout with a suspect late Wednesday night.
The Department of Public Safety identified the officer as Sgt. Joshua Lee Clouse, 39, and the suspect as Albert Rafael Acosta, 29. DPS said both men were from Cameron.
According to the press release from MCSO, police responded to the 700 block of North Travis Avenue in Cameron at 10:55 p.m. on a report of a gunshot victim.
The victim told police they were shot in the back of the neck by their spouse, according to the release. The victim was taken to the hospital. Their condition is unknown, officials said.
Cameron PD investigated and applied for a search warrant at a residence in the 500 block of E. 7th Street, according to the release.
The release said Cameron Police, the Milam County Sheriff’s Office, Rockdale Police and the Texas Department of Public Safety attempted warrant service at the residence.
According to the release, Acosta opened fire on law enforcement personnel, and law enforcement fired back.
The sheriff’s office said Acosta was shot and killed, and Sgt. Clouse was wounded and taken to a hospital where he died.
“Shots here, they echo far, because it’s small,” said Dani Hernandez, who lives near where the shootout happened.
The 100 Club of Central Texas activated the Survivor Fund in response to the death of the officer. Donations can be made here.
The Milam County Sheriff’s Office said it requested that the Texas Rangers investigate what happened.
Authorities are not releasing names until families are notified.
According to the Officer Down Memorial Page, the last Cameron Police Department line-of-duty death was in 1935.