Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

CLASS 195...... "We Play for Keeps"

Classmate
Brother

June 7, 2022

Rest in peace, brother. Thank you for your service.

Lieutenant Raymond Flores
NYPD (retired)

June 7, 2021

Rest easy

Mark Mottola

June 7, 2020

I worked with AJ for 5 years before I retired in 2018. We worked deep nights together and it was an honor to know him. AJ never complained and was always smiling. I told him once,” AJ, do you know that you are smiling the entire time we are working a family violence call.” AJ said,” I can’t help it, I just have the best job in the world.” AJ was right. I’ve lost bothers and sisters during my 26 year career, but AJ’s hit me the hardest. He truly had a servants heart, was a great father, friend and one of the best damn cops to walk this earth. Love ya AJ. Miss the talks, the lunch’s and the times we chilled together off-duty.

Retired Investigator Byron Olivere #305
Grand Prairie Police Department

February 27, 2020

I love and miss you so much my heart is still broken!!

Best Friend Jena Sims
Texas

November 17, 2019

God Bless you Police Officer Albert Ramirez Castaneda Jr., thank you for your service with the Grand Prairie Police Department and the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office ❤️. Thank you for making the people in the Grand Prairie and Tarrant County, TX areas feel safer. We are all thankful to you for your service, your devotion and your sacrifices. We are so saddened by this terrible news and you will never be forgotten! Our thoughts and Prayers go out to your family, and all of your sisters and brothers in Blue that protect us. God bless you all!! (Matthew 5:9)

Kelly & Eddie King

August 30, 2019

Rest in peace brother, we have the watch now. Thank you for your service, you will not be forgotten. God bless the family, friends, and co-workers of Officer Castaneda during this time of tragic and senseless loss.

Deputy Donnie Meaders (retired)
Okfuskee County Sheriff's Office (OK)

July 9, 2019

RIP officer. Prayers to your blood, love and blue families!

Deputy Sheriff Terri Van Houten
Rock Country Sheriff's Office

June 19, 2019

Our thoughts and prayers are with your family, friends and co-workers during this difficult time. Your service and ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Thomas H. Kelly Jr., ASAC
Federal Air Marshal Service

June 17, 2019

Officer Castaneda,

May you rest in the arms of God and may God be with your family.

Thank you for your service and sacrifice.

Det. Russ Cain
Pittsburgh PD

June 16, 2019

The true measure of a person
is not found in the
might of their arm,
their wealth
or their power –
it is found in the strength
of their character.

There is no greater testimony to
ones character, than ones
willingness to sacrifice all,
in the noble quest of
providing protection to all
whom they serve.
Author Unknown

Javier Cornejo
Police Officer, Retired
City of Milwaukee Police Department
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

June 15, 2019

Rest in peace Ofc. Castaneda. My thoughts and prayers are with your family, friends, and the members of the GPPD during this most difficult and tragic time.

Sgt. Scott Seitz
Plainsboro Township NJ Police Department

June 15, 2019

Rest in peace and thank you for your service

Spc Alexander Jarred
U.S. Army

June 15, 2019

I never dreamed it would be me,
My name for all eternity.
Recorded here at this hallowed place,
Alas, my name, no more my face.
"In the line of duty" I hear them say.
My family now, the price they pay.
My folded flag stained with their tears,
We only had those few short years.
The badge on longer on my chest,
I sleep now in eternal rest.
My sword I pass to those behind,
And pray they keep this thought in mind.
I never dreamed it would be me,
And with a heavy heart and bended knee,
I ask for all here from the past,

Dear God, let my name be the last....

~ Anonymous

Athena B.

June 13, 2019

In Honor of your Sacrifice and for your family and friends, I salute you as a HERO!

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whose blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell

Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell (Retired)
Richland County Sheriff's Dept.
Columbia, SC

June 12, 2019

Thank you for your service and sacrifice. Rest In Peace Officer Castaneda. Our deepest heartfelt condolences to all of your family, friends, and brothers and sisters at Grand Prairie Police Department.

U.S. Postal Inspector Scott Horne
U.S. Postal Inspection Service

June 11, 2019

Rest in Peace Brother

Sgt. CCB (Ret)
USPP

June 11, 2019

Greater love hath no man than to lay down his life.
May Officer Castenada's family and friends be comforted in this dark hour.
Officer Castenada, rest with God, my brother, you have served well.

Captain Kenneth Lee
Tarrant County College District PD/Retired Sgt. Grand Prairie PD

June 11, 2019

Rest in Peace Officer Castaneda. Thank you for your Service.
My Prayers to your Family both Blood and Blue.

Deputy Terri Albright, #668
DuPage County Sheriff's Office

June 11, 2019

Rest in peace brother. We have the watch from here. May God Bless your family and friends.

Lt. A. Orozco
ADOT/ECD

June 11, 2019

Sending my condolences to his family and friends. Thank you for your hard work and service.

Correctional Officer Melissa Downing
GDC

June 11, 2019

On behalf of the Klamath County Sheriff's Office in Klamath Falls Oregon, we send our sincerest sympathy in the recent loss of your Officer, Albert J. Castaneda, in the line of duty. It is always a huge loss when a fellow officer makes the ultimate sacrifice. His bravery and courage to protect and serve your community has not gone unnoticed. Also our prayers and thoughts to the Tarrant County Sheriff's Office where Officer Castaneda had previously served.

Sheriff Chris Kaber
Klamath County Sheriff's Office

June 11, 2019

"The Final Inspection"
The policeman stood and faced his God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining.
Just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, policeman.
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My church have you been true?"
The policeman squared his shoulders and said, "No, Lord, I guess I ain't,
Because those of us who carry badges can't always be a saint.
I've had to work most Sundays,
and at times my talk was rough,
and sometimes I've been violent,
Because the streets are awfully tough.
But I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep....
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fear.
If you've a place for me here,
Lord, It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't.....I'll understand.
There was silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod.
As the policeman waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, policeman,
You've borne your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell."
Author Unknown

Sergeant Chad Miner
Powell Police department
Powell, Wyoming

June 11, 2019

God Bless You, Your Family, & Friends.
Thank you for your unselfish service.

James P Waggle
Civilian

June 11, 2019

AJ came to GPPD a few years before I retired so I never had the chance to work alongside him as far as shifts went. Despite that we were able to get to know one another, shared some laughs and jokes and he gave me pointers on the current reporting system which he had previously used at Tarrant County. He was just profiled last September on the news for saving a choking baby while working an off duty job. He was a fine and dedicated police officer and I send my deepest condolences to his family.

DJ Olvera, Ptl, Crime scene, Honor Guard
GPPD retired 2017

June 10, 2019