Grand Prairie Police Benevolent Association

Officer A.J. Castaneda was running radar outside of his police vehicle when he was struck and killed by a young driver who lost control of his vehicle. Castaneda is best described as a "loving father of two children, a friend, a trusted colleague and an outstanding officer whose passion was providing service to the public." A key example of his public service were his weekly visits to the neighborhood where he grew up to drop off pizzas to the children at the rec center. Prior to joining the department, Castaneda served six years with the Tarrant County Sheriff's Department and in the U.S. Coast Guard from 2000-2008. He leaves behind his family with two children, one of whom has special needs.