Officers cleared in May shootout

Milam County law enforcement officers involved in a shootout that left a Cameron Police Sergeant and a suspect dead have been cleared by the Grand Jury.

According to Milam County District Attorney Bill Torrey, the Grand Jury determined the four law enforcement officers were justified in using deadly force in their own self-defense during a shooting last May in Cameron. 

The No Bills were handed to Milam County Sheriff`s Office Captain John Vargas, Rockdale Police Officer Stephen Wall, Cameron Police Detective Justin Anastasiades, and Cameron Police Lieutenant Antony Maskunas. 

Torrey presented the case to the Grand Jury and Texas Ranger Sgt. Kenneth Shields investigated and testified regarding the matter. 

All four were involved in the May 11 shootout with 29-year-old Albert Rafael Acosta in Cameron. 

The incident left Acosta and Cameron Police Sgt. Josh Clouse both dead. 

The events unfolded after police had obtained a warrant for Acosta, who allegedly had shot a woman the day before. Cameron PD had responded about 11 p.m. on May 10 in reference to a gunshot victim in the 700 block of North Travis. 

The victim was shot in the back of the neck by their spouse. 

Authorities then got a search warrant and executed the raid in the early morning hours of May 11 in the 500 block of East 7th Street, at which time Acosta opened fire at approaching officers. 

Acosta was killed in the shooting and Clouse was wounded and rushed to the hospital where he later died. 

Milam County deputies, Cameron PD, Rockdale PD, and Texas Department of Public Safety troopers took part in the warrant raid.