HELLO!

I'M CHIEF CASTLEBERRY....

I'm Chief of Police Howard Castleberry III, but most people know me as Cody, a nickname my mom gave me. I was born and raised in Mineola, Texas, and am part of the Great Class of 2001 from Mineola High School. It was during high school that I first got interested in law enforcement, thanks to the positive experiences I had with the Mineola Police Officers I met. One of those officers was Tim Prince, who was my patrol sergeant at the time. Tim now works with us at the Primary School Campus.

In 2004, I started my career working for the City of College Station Fire Department as a parking enforcement officer. Two years later, in 2006, I attended the Central Texas Police Academy in Bryan, Texas, at the Texas A&M Riverside Campus. After graduating, I worked briefly with the College Station Police Department before deciding to return to my hometown of Mineola. I joined the Upshur County Sheriff's Office as a jail deputy for a bit, but my heart was set on the Mineola Police Department. Soon after, I was offered a patrol position there.

At the Mineola Police Department, I became a Field Training Officer, helping to train new hires, and I loved working the swing shift from 3 p.m. to 3 a.m.—when all the real action happens. One of my most unforgettable moments was when I accidentally caught a bank robber who was wanted by the FBI. I also like to joke about the time I met the Zac Brown Band after they almost lost their equipment trailer in the Sabine River on Highway 69 South.

In 2012, I took a break from law enforcement and became a freight train conductor for Union Pacific Railroad. I thought my days as an officer were over, but everything changed on July 7, 2016. That day, I got off a train in Longview, Texas, turned on my phone, and learned that five police officers had been killed in Dallas. That event reignited my passion for law enforcement. Upset by the negative views of police officers, I felt called to return and show that officers are here to help. In 2017, I reactivated my Peace Officer License and started working as a reserve officer with the Mineola Police Department during my days off from the railroad.

In September 2018, I took the role of Safety and Security Director at Mineola ISD. Just two months later, in November, I helped establish the Mineola ISD Police Department, fulfilling a long-time goal of mine. On a side note, I occasionally drive a school bus and am the official #1 fan of the MHS Sound of the Swarm. At every contest and football game, I’m either driving a bus or one of the trucks. I was in the band when I went to MHS, and I played percussion. We weren’t very good back then, but I made memories that have stuck with me, and I truly appreciate what students gain from being involved in music programs.

Since joining Mineola ISD, we’ve made several improvements to enhance the safety of our schools. To learn more about our safety and security measures, please explore the tabs on the Mineola ISD PD Homepage. We want everyone to know, Mineola ISD has the best and most dedicated safety and security personnel around. We truly want to be the best in what we do, and the level of service we provide the students, staff and parents.

If we can do anything for you or answer any questions, please contact us. We look forward to hearing from you.