Officer Jacob Arellano Foundation

09/29/2026

💙 TRIBUTE TUESDAY 💙

This week, the Officer Jacob Arellano Foundation is proud to recognize Officer Andrea Castaneda #982 of the Las Cruces Police Department.

A graduate of the 51st Las Cruces Police Academy, Officer Castaneda has already made a significant impact early in her career. She has worked all three patrol shifts and was specially selected for a temporary assignment at the Training Academy, helping with the training and development of fellow officers.

Today, she serves as a Field Training Officer, Domestic Violence Instructor, Physical Training Instructor, and mentor.

Her supervisors describe her as proactive, dependable, and a leader among her peers. One of her greatest strengths is her ability to de-escalate difficult situations, communicate effectively, and bring situations under control while remaining calm and professional.

Despite being relatively new to the profession, Officer Castaneda has consistently looked for opportunities to grow, serve, and give back, earning the trust of both her peers and supervisors.

This nomination also became especially meaningful to our family when we learned something we never expected: Officer Castaneda knew Officer Jacob Arellano and attended the same high school as his twin brother, Joshua.

Sometimes it truly is a small world. 💙🖤

We sincerely thank Lt. Carmen Salinas, Graveyard Supervision, and the Las Cruces Police Department for nominating Officer Castaneda and allowing us to share her story.

Officer Castaneda, thank you for your service, leadership, and the positive difference you continue to make in your community.

Today, we are proud to recognize and honor you. 💙🖤

09/25/2026

09/22/2026

💙 TRIBUTE TUESDAY 💙

This week, the Officer Jacob Arellano Foundation is proud to recognize Sgt. Ed Lujan of the Dallas Police Department.

Born and raised in El Paso, Texas, Sgt. Lujan graduated from Austin High School and attended the University of Texas at El Paso. After leaving El Paso to pursue teaching, his path eventually led him to the Dallas Police Department and a law enforcement career spanning more than 30 years.

Throughout his career, Sgt. Lujan has served in patrol, investigations, supervision, and community policing. But some of the most meaningful chapters of his service came from one of the most difficult moments of his own life.

In 2015, Sgt. Lujan was critically injured in the line of duty. During his recovery, he experienced firsthand the support of the Assist the Officer Foundation (ATO), an organization dedicated to helping first responders and their families during times of need.

That experience helped shape another calling: helping others facing difficult moments of their own.

Sgt. Lujan went on to lead ATO for six years, supporting first responders and their families when they needed it most. After stepping down from that leadership role, he continued serving on ATO’s Board of Directors and remains committed to the first responder community.

His service extends even further through his involvement with Dak Prescott’s Faith Fight Finish Foundation, Carry The Load, and the Knights of Columbus.

For our family, this Tribute Tuesday is especially meaningful.

Sgt. Lujan has personally shown tremendous kindness and support to our family and the Officer Jacob Arellano Foundation. His willingness to stand beside us and help carry Officer Jacob Arellano’s legacy forward is something we will always appreciate and never forget.

At our Foundation, we believe some of the greatest examples of service are people who take their own difficult experiences and use them to help someone else through theirs.

Sgt. Lujan is one of those people.

From El Paso to Dallas, after more than three decades in law enforcement, his commitment to service continues.

Sgt. Lujan, thank you for your years of service, your friendship, your support of our family, and everything you continue to do for first responders and their families.

Today, we are proud to recognize and honor you. 💙🖤

09/19/2026

Proud to stand with MADD today at the Move with MADD El Paso Community Walk. ❤️

We walked in memory of Officer Jacob I. Arellano and all those whose lives have been forever changed by impaired driving.

Thank you MADD for continuing this important mission. We are honored to stand beside you.

#11729

09/17/2026

This morning, Becky and I were honored to represent the Officer Jacob Arellano Foundation at the MADD Texas Law Enforcement Recognition Awards.

Thank you to MADD Texas, our law enforcement partners, and all of the community partners who continue working every day to prevent impaired driving and save lives.

We are grateful for the opportunity to share Jacob’s story and continue turning pain into purpose.

Together, we can make a difference. 💙

09/15/2026

💙 TRIBUTE TUESDAY 💙

This week, the Officer Jacob Arellano Foundation is proud to recognize Lieutenant Israel Rodriguez Jr. of the Socorro Police Department.

For Lt. Rodriguez, serving Socorro is more than a career, it is serving the community that helped raise him.

Born in El Paso and raised in Socorro, Lt. Rodriguez graduated from Socorro High School and has dedicated more than 20 years to serving the community he calls home. Since beginning his career with the Socorro Police Department in 2005, he has served as a Patrol Officer, Field Training Officer, Detective, FBI Street Crimes Gang Unit Task Force Officer, Patrol Corporal, Patrol Sergeant, and now Patrol Lieutenant.

Throughout his career, his dedication and professionalism have earned him recognition as both Employee of the Year and Detective of the Year.

But his impact extends far beyond rank and recognition.

Lt. Rodriguez played an instrumental role in the Socorro Police Athletic League and personally dedicated more than three years to coaching youth flag football. Having grown up in the same community he now serves, he understands the importance of giving Socorro’s youth positive opportunities, mentorship, and the chance to build relationships with law enforcement outside of an enforcement setting.

As a husband and father of three, Lt. Rodriguez also understands the importance of family and community. Whether mentoring officers, coaching young people, or serving residents, his career reflects leadership built on relationships, trust, accountability, and service.

After more than two decades, Lt. Rodriguez continues to serve the community that raised him while helping develop the next generation of Socorro police officers.

At the Officer Jacob Arellano Foundation, we believe service goes beyond the badge. Recognizing officers like Lt. Rodriguez, who protect, lead, mentor, and give back to their communities, is part of how we continue Officer Jacob Arellano’s legacy of service. 💙🖤

We also thank Socorro Police Chief Robert “Chris” Rojas for nominating Lt. Rodriguez and helping us recognize officers whose service and dedication deserve to be seen.

Lt. Rodriguez, thank you for your leadership, your commitment to Socorro, and more than 20 years of service.

Today, we are proud to recognize and honor you. 💙🖤

09/12/2026

Proud to be out this morning supporting the El Paso 9/11 Heroes Run. 🇺🇸

It was an honor to stand with our community, first responders, military, law enforcement, and families as we remembered the heroes of September 11, 2001.

A special thank you to César Cervantes and the entire 9/11 Heroes Run team for bringing our community together for such a meaningful event.

The Officer Jacob Arellano Foundation will always be proud to support events that honor service, sacrifice, and the men and women who protect our communities every day.

We will never forget. 🇺🇸💙

09/08/2026

💙 TRIBUTE TUESDAY 💙

This week, the Officer Jacob Arellano Foundation is proud to recognize Detective Adrian Reza of the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office.

Since 2018, Detective Reza has served as an instructor in DWI detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, helping train hundreds of law enforcement officers. In 2022, he became a certified Texas Drug Recognition Expert after completing more than 156 hours of specialized training.

His service has also included investigating serious and fatal motor vehicle crashes, many involving impaired drivers, and helping strengthen the Drug Recognition Expert Program within the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office.

Today, Detective Reza continues serving as an active member of the DWI Task Force, training and mentoring fellow officers, and working with community partners to make our roadways safer.

He also serves as a team leader in the Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard — another reflection of his dedication to service and respect for those who wear the badge.

For our Foundation, this work carries special meaning. We know firsthand the devastating consequences impaired driving can have on a family. Every officer trained, every impaired driver taken off the road, and every effort made toward prevention can help save a life and prevent another family from experiencing that loss.

Detective Reza, thank you for your dedication, professionalism, and commitment to protecting our community.

Today, we recognize and honor your service. 💙🖤