The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) on November 25 announced Deputy Michael Castaneda of the San Bernardino, California, County Sheriff’s Department as their Officer of the Month for October 2024. Deputy Castaneda was selected for his off-duty actions when he sprinted to rescue a child off of train tracks while a train was barreling toward them.

Deputy Castaneda was driving home when he noticed an SUV stuck on the tracks at a rural railroad crossing. As the crossing gate began to close, Castaneda observed the vehicle’s driver struggling to maneuver off the tracks but becoming immobilized in gravel. The driver, later identified as the child’s mother, exited the car, setting down one child before going back to retrieve another, video shows. Deputy Castaneda rushed toward the child left on the ground, picking them up and sprinting away from the tracks as the train approached. In the video, the mother is seen running in the opposite direction with her other child.

“These officers are heroes, and their actions serve to highlight the countless acts of valor, which often go unnoticed and without the recognition or fanfare such acts deserve,” NLEOMF CEO William Alexander said. “We are humbled and proud to honor Deputy Castaneda as our Officer of the Month for October 2024.”

The Officer of the Month Award Program is sponsored by the Police Unity Tour and recognizes federal, state, and local officers who demonstrate exemplary law enforcement service and dedication to their duty.

—www.NLEOMF.org—

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund

Established in 1984, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund is a nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring the fallen, telling the story of American law enforcement, and making it safer for those who serve. The first pillar of this mission, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., honors the names of all the 24,067 officers who have died in the line of duty to date throughout U.S. history. Additionally, NLEOMF maintains and publishes comprehensive details on the circumstances surrounding official line-of-duty deaths. The Officer Safety and Wellness pillar uses that data, coupled with best-practice program models, to produce programming directed at solutions to improve survivability and enhance wellness. NLEOMF’s third pillar, the National Law Enforcement Museum (LawEnforcementMuseum.org) is committed to preserving the history of American law enforcement and sharing the experiences of service and sacrifice for generations to come.

Since 2014, the National Fallen Law Enforcement Officers Flower Fund has sent a floral arrangement to the funeral services of every officer who has been killed in the line of duty. This initiative, which has served as the cornerstone of the charity, has sent more than 2,000 arrangements on behalf of its members, costing over $500,000.

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