Former country trooper recognized for valor

Former Gonzales County resident and DPS Trooper Gregg Castillo was awarded the Texas Department of Public Safety's highest recognition recently with the DPS Medal of Valor. Castillo served here from 1998-2010 and is now a sergeant SWAT operator with the Texas Ranger division.

“The Medal of Valor is the highest award presented by the Texas Department of Public Safety,” notes the DPS website. “It may be issued to any member of the department who intelligently distinguishes himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her own life. The deed performed must have been by voluntary act and of personal bravery or self-sacrifice so conspicuous as to distinguish clearly the individual for gallantry and intrepidity above his or her comrades and must have involved risk of life, known to the member before performing the act. It must be the type of deed which, if left undone, would not subject him to any justifiable criticism. The act must be far above and beyond the normal call of duty.”

“On July 22, 2014, the La Joya, Texas police department received information that a suspect wanted for capital murder was possibly located at a residence in town,” states a press release from DPS. “The La Joya Police Department and Edinburg Poilice Department officers arrived and located the suspect’s vehicle. While they were examining the vehicle, the suspect began firing a weapon from inside the residence. Two Edinburg officers, Sergeant Orland Garcia and Officer Robert Vallejo, were wounded. 

“Sergeant Garcia was able to move to cover behind an unmarked police unit. Officer Vallejo was incapacitated and remain in the line of fire. Trooper Hector Gonzalez was then able to drive his patrol car into a position which would provide some protection for an effort to move Officer Vallejo to safety. 

“As Trooper Gonzalez, Sergeant Garcia and EPD Lieutenant Oscar Trevino began to drag Officer Vallejo to safety, Trooper Leopoldo Sanchez discharged his DPS issued M-4 towards the suspect. Trooper Sanchez’s actions caused the suspect to stop firing his weapon.

“The suspect barricaded himself in the residence and negotiations began in an attempt to bring the incident to a close. Law enforcement officers, including DPS Special Operation Group Operators, established an observation post to monitor the suspect. 

“After several hours the suspect, who was later identified as a member of the Texas Syndicate with ties to cartel organizations, exited the residence and began firing at officers at the scene. Special Agent Steve West and SWAT Operator Gregg Castillo exchanged fire with the suspect and ultimately terminated the threat.

“SWAT Operator Castillo’s professional reaction and unselfish devotion to duty reflects much credit upon himself, profession of law enforcement and to the Texas Department of Public Safety.”