GRAND PRAIRIE (WBAP/KLIF)- It was a simple event but has a lot of meaning behind it. Grand Prairie Police officers gave out pizza at the Dalworth Rec Center Thursday evening to honor fallen officer A.J. Casteneda’s legacy.
Castaneda grew up in Grand Prairie and would give back to his community with or without his uniform. Dalworth Rec Supervisor Monte Whetstone said Castaneda would come to the rec center regularly to give back to these kids. He said it’s truly amazing to see other officer’s continue his tradition. “I would say it’s bittersweet because of course we are going to miss that life and that legacy but at the same token his legacy lives on and these kids are still benefitting from it,” Whetstone said.
Whetstone said Casteneda would give back without asking for recognition or praise. “He would just do it out of the kindness of his heart,” Whetstone said. “He made a lasting impression on these kids,” he said.
“We are hoping to continue to inspire this relationship and looking out at these kids today hopefully have many more AJ’s come out and have the same love for the community and pride in the badge that he did,” said Grand Prairie Officer Gerald Hodges.
Officer Castaneda was killed in the line of duty two weeks ago. He was struck by a driver while running radar outside his squad car. He will be remembered for his kind heart and selflessness.
“I think this is something that once everything starts to take wind and more people start hearing about it I think this is something we will continue for a long time…so thanks AJ,” Whetstone said.
.@GrandPrairiePD hands out pizza to the kids at the Dalworth Rec Center. This is something officer A.J Castaneda used to do regularly. #GrandPrairie Police hope to continue this tradition, strengthen relationships with the kids & for AJ’s legacy to live on. @WBAP247NEWS @570KLIF pic.twitter.com/ow8RTd9dxd
— Katrina Boonzaier (@katrinaboonz) June 20, 2019
