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Incident
Chief of Police Luis Castillo was killed in an automobile crash while responding to back up one of his officers at approximately 9:45 pm.
He and other officers were working drug interdiction at the time when the call for a backup was received from an officer who had made a traffic stop. During Chief Castillo's response on Highway 128, his patrol went out of control and rolled over several times. He was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries shortly after midnight.
Chief Castillo had served with the Jal Police Department for 18 years and had served as chief for 13 years. He had previously served with the Carlsbad Police Department.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, three adult children, four grandchildren, mother, and two sisters, and grandmother.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Chief of Police Castillo gave the Jal Police Department 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the Jal community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Castillo.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Luis is the only officer of Jal Police Department remembered here.
Luis is one of 59 officers lost to accidents in NM, 30.6% of the 193 remembered there.
Luis is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Luis is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2001, 4 officers in NM were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 2001, 77 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 31st heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2001, 89 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 39th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Luis was 48. Of the 57 lost to accidents in NM whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 44; the middle age was 35. Luis had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Luis was 48. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Luis had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Luis was 48. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Luis had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 18.6% of these deaths in NM, more than any other month. Fridays: 22%.
August holds 9.5% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Fridays: 15.1%.
August holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Jal Police Department.
Accident deaths account for 30.6% of all 193 deaths in NM, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 4-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Jal Police Department are honored on badge.nw.