Detective Darrel Dale Cate, 45, of the Buena Park Police Department was killed on September 21, 1972, while investigating a felony suspect wanted for a sex offense. He and a partner went to a South Emerald Street residence in Anaheim where they believed the suspect using the alias Paul Drago was located. A man working under a car in the garage said the person sought lived down the street; when Cate’s partner went to check, the man later identified as Herman Lee Clouston followed Detective Cate and fatally shot him in the head and chest. Cate was taken to a hospital but died shortly afterward.

A six-day manhunt led to Clouston’s arrest. He was convicted of second-degree murder in 1973 and received three 10-year prison terms for the murder and other crimes; he was paroled in 1982. Clouston later appeared on the US Marshals Service 15 Most Wanted List in 2006 for a parole violation and was arrested again in 2010.

Detective Cate was survived by his wife, Patricia, and five children. A memorial service attended by more than 1,500 people from 48 police departments was held; he was buried with full police honors. The Buena Park City Council passed resolutions to plant a memorial tree at the Buena Park Library and to name a street Cate Drive in his honor.

If anyone knew Detective Cate or has information about his case, please share what you can.