KANSAS CITY, Mo. – By day, Officer Jonny Castro is a forensic composite artist with the Philadelphia Police Department.
At night, create special portraits for people who have suffered the loss of a loved one.
Agent Castro has painted more than 1,300 portraits in the past seven years.
“It’s important that they are remembered, that their stories are told,” Castro said. “I average three portraits a week: police officers, crime victims, anyone who’s been killed in the line of duty.”
It didn’t take long for Castro to learn of the death of James Muhlbauer, a Kansas City police officer and Muhlbauer’s K-9 partner, Champ.
“You don’t hear too many stories where the officer and his canine partner were killed,” he said. “Which with the pedestrian, an innocent bystander, it’s just a sad story all around.”
Castro painted the 23 New York City police officers killed in the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
“It’s tough, there are so many officers who are killed in the line of duty,” he said. “That this provides some sort of comfort, people all over the country, strangers trying to do something nice for them,” she said. “It’s nice to know that Champ and James will be together forever in that painting.”
While he gives away portraits to families, people can buy or support him here.
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