Sergeant Guerra retired after serving the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) for 22 years.  Due to complications from diabetes, his health kept him from continuing his career with CDCR.

Sergeant Guerra comes from a correctional family. His Uncle, Correctional Officer John Ruiz of California Department of Corrections (CDC) was honored to proudly announce the completion of his Academy training and welcome him to corrections in 1998.

His first assignment was at Deuel Vocational Institution (DVI), in Tracy, California with his uncle. He was able to work with many people he already knew and eased into the prison setting.

Now the camaraderie to look out for each other begins.

In August of 2007, Officer Guerra was promoted to Sergeant and was assigned to the Richard A. McGee Correctional Training Center in Galt, CA.  While at the training center, he began to develop instructional and training skills to ensure that those entering the profession of corrections would have a deep understanding of the day-to-day challenges they would be presented with.

Sergeant Guerra had a deep sense of responsibility for the safety of those who trained. He was very passionate about ensuring that cadets understood the importance of their training and the ramifications it would have on their future.  His pride was evident when cadets began to understand the importance of the skills they were being taught.

While working at the training center, Sergeant Guerra’s health began to decline. While he continued to give maximum effort, his diabetes was creating many physical limitations. He suffered from neuropathy and fatigue and it was slowing him down. He had to take more and more time from work. In early 2020, he was diagnosed with stage 4 chronic kidney disease.

Despite his deep rooted passion for his profession, he came to the realization that he would not be able to continue to work in his condition. In December of 2020, Sergeant Guerra retired from the job he loved so much.

Shortly following his retirement, Sergeant Guerra began Peritoneal Dialysis at home. He continued this nightly routine for 2 years without any improvement. The next step in his treatment was Hemodialysis at a clinic. While he is functioning better, it is incredibly restricting. The RV he and his wife, Alisson, bought to celebrate retirement sits waiting for adventure. Their list of travels and goals sits waiting for his improved health.

Sergeant Guerra loved visiting his sister in Ohio, but much of the trip was spent in bed or in the hospital.  During one of his most recent trips, he was hospitalized and required the amputation of one of his toes.

California has the largest transplant waiting list in the country. Sergeant Guerra is one of 23,000 people on that list. Several family members have volunteered to be a living donor, but none have been a successful match.

Sergeant Guerra’s family is hoping that by reaching out to their Correctional Family, they will increase their reach and be able to find Rubin a kidney. There is so much of life he’d like to experience.  If you are interested in more information on how you may be able to help, please contact Rubin’s uncle John Ruiz at 4jmruiz@gmail.com.