Grand Prairie Officer AJ Castaneda Remembered For 'Committed, Compassionate Love For Community'
GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) - Family, friends and colleagues are saying their final goodbyes to fallen Grand Prairie officer A.J. Castaneda Thursday morning at his funeral.
Castaneda, 38, died last Friday after he was hit by a vehicle while running traffic enforcement on the President George Bush Turnpike.
The cause of the deadly crash is still under investigation, but authorities said there were no signs of impairment or that Castaneda was struck intentionally.
Castaneda was a five-year veteran of the Grand Prairie Police Department and was also previously with the Tarrant County Sheriff's Department and the U.S. Coast Guard. He was also the father to an 11-year-old son.
A procession started at around 8 a.m. and ended at The Potter's House in Dallas.
A touching video showed the close bond between AJ Castaneda and his 11-year-old son Elijah.
It also displayed the Grand Prairie officer's connection with those in the community he served
The video played on a large screen in the sanctuary of The Potter's House where hundreds of mourners filed by his flag draped casket.
Hard-working, kind, committed compassionate love for community," said Grand Prairie Police Chief Steve Dye.
The procession passed by the department's headquarters, "giving A.J. one last drive by the station," police said.
Residents and businesses were seen honoring Castaneda as the escort drove by.
