Los Angeles Police Department, California
End of Watch: Thursday, March 5, 1959
Age: 36
Tour of Duty: 9 years
Badge Number: 6517
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: March 5, 1959
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Shot and killed
Detective Jose Castellanos was shot and killed and his partner was seriously wounded by a crazed murder suspect.
Earlier the suspect went into a cafe, he had been ejected from, and shot the proprietress in the arm and killed a patron who went to her aid. Later Detective Castellanos and his partner went to the home of the suspects estranged wife and questioned her about the suspect. As they were leaving, the suspect, who was hiding in the bushes near the house, opened fire. Detective Castellanos' partner was able to return fire killing the suspect.
Detective Castellanos had served with the agency for nine years. He is survived by his wife, three daughters, two sons, his mother, and two sisters. He is laid to rest at Calvary Cemetery.