TEMPLE, TX (August 1, 2025) – The Temple Police Department is mourning the loss of one of its own following a tragic accident.
At around 10:48 a.m. on Friday, August 1, Officer Toalua “Charlie” Aumua, a dedicated member of the Temple Police Department, drowned while spending time at the lake with his family. Officer Aumua was not working at the time of the accident.
First responders were called to the scene over the course of two days after reports of the drowning. The following departments responded to the 4200 block of Westcliff Road to stage a command post: the Bell County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Game Wardens, US Army Corps of Engineers Park Rangers, Temple Police Department, Morgan’s Point Resort Police, Morgan’s Point Resort Dive Team, Morgan’s Point Resort Fire Department, Belton Fire Department, Temple EMS, Belton EMS, Milam County Dive Team, Williamson County Dive Team, Sparta Fire Department, Travis County Dive Team, Georgetown Fire Department, and Star Flight.
At around 9:45 a.m., on Saturday, August 2, Toalua “Charlie” Aumua was recovered by the Morgan’s Point Resort Dive Team with the assistance of the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Dive Team. He was pronounced deceased on scene by Justice of the Peace Larry Wilkey and transported for autopsy.
Officer Toalua “Charlie” Aumua served the Temple Police Department with dedicated service for 5 years, always following the mission of protecting and serving the Temple community. He will be deeply missed. Officer Aumua started with the Temple Police Department in August of 2020. He was currently assigned to Day Shift Patrol. Officer Aumua was a field trainer and a current member of our Temple SWAT team. He has received numerous awards and commendations in the five years with the Temple Police Department. He was honored as the Recruit Officer of the year in 2021. In 2023, Officer Aumua received two life-saving awards and was honored by the department as the Temple Police Officer of the year for 2023.
Chief Shawn Reynolds stated, “Our thoughts and prayers are with the Aumua Family. 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. I would ask that the media respect the family’s privacy as they grieve. Charlie’s heart for service and love for people will be missed by everyone who knew him”.
Support services are being made available to Officer Aumua’s family and to Temple Police Department personnel.
The Temple Police Department would like to thank every individual who came out and loaned their boat to the search and recovery effort. Their efforts were instrumental in the recovery of Officer Aumua.
Further details will be released as they become available and only with the approval of the officer’s family.
Officer Toalua “Charlie” Aumua