Roll of Honor
Incident
Lieutenant Cliff Rouse was shot after responding to an armed robbery at a convenience store on Sylvester Road after 10:00 pm.
Shortly after his initial response to the call, he radioed that he had been shot at a nearby trailer park and needed an ambulance. He had been struck once in the leg and once in the abdomen, just below his vest. He was transported to Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds.
The 18-year-old suspect was apprehended by a member of the Dougherty County Sheriff's Office during a search of the trailer park. He was charged with felony murder and additional charges in connection with the armed robbery.
On February 25, 2015, the suspect, who was on felony probation, pled guilty to first-degree murder and was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole.
Lieutenant Rouse had served with the Dougherty County Police Department for 18 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, two children, and parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-GA-3E17CD83- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Lieutenant Rouse gave the Dougherty County Police Department 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the Albany community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Rouse.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Lieutenant Thomas Clifford Rouse is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In GA, 549 of 905 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.7% of this state's fallen. That is 60.7 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Thomas Clifford Rouse's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas Clifford Rouse Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas Clifford Rouse is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas Clifford Rouse was killed by handgun; 9 mm.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Dougherty County Police Department are honored on badge.nw.