Toalua “Charlie” Aumua Obituary, Death – A Temple police officer tragically drowned while off-duty in Lake Belton on Friday, according to the Temple Police Department. The incident was first reported by the Bell County Sheriff’s Office, which said they received a 911 call around 10:48 a.m. The caller stated that a drowning had occurred near the Freedom Boat Club, located at 3681 Cedar Ridge Park Road on the lake.
Following the emergency call, several agencies responded to the scene and launched a search and recovery mission. The search continued into Saturday morning, with assistance from multiple departments, including the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team. Authorities were able to recover the victim’s body around 9:45 a.m. the next day.
The deceased was later identified as Officer Toalua “Charlie” Aumua of the Temple Police Department. Officials confirmed that Officer Aumua was not on duty at the time of the incident; he had been enjoying time at the lake with his family when the accident happened.
Officer Aumua had served with the Temple Police Department for five years, having joined the force in August 2020. He was a dedicated member of the department, assigned to Day Shift Patrol. In addition to his patrol duties, Aumua was a field training officer and also served on the Temple SWAT team, indicating a high level of experience and leadership within the department.
His contributions to the force had not gone unnoticed. In 2021, Aumua was recognized as the Recruit Officer of the Year, an honor highlighting his early promise and dedication to the job. Just two years later, in 2023, he was named the Temple Police Officer of the Year, showing continued excellence in service and a deep commitment to both the department and the community he served.
Temple Police Chief Shawn Reynolds issued a heartfelt statement following Aumua’s passing. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the Aumua Family,” Reynolds said. “Charlie was not only an excellent police officer, perhaps more importantly, he was a good person and a good man. He was a man of great faith, and we will miss him greatly.”
Reynolds also requested that the public and media respect the Aumua family’s privacy during their time of grief. He emphasized how deeply Officer Aumua’s passing would be felt throughout the department and the community. “Charlie’s heart for service and love for people will be missed by everyone who knew him,” the chief added.
The incident remains a devastating loss for the Temple Police Department and the community. Officer Aumua is remembered not only for his professional achievements but also for the personal integrity and compassion he brought to his work.
