Ruben Sanchez Serrano

Ruben Sanchez-Serrano was born March 26, 1942 in Caguas, Puerto Rico to Francisco Sanchez-Trinidad and Santos Serrano-Gomez. He returned home to be with the Lord and his late wife on (date), while surrounded by family and friends at home. He is the oldest of 3 boys (the late Hector Luis and Carlos Francisco). His father came to the United States from Puerto Rico to seek employment in 1946. Santos and her 3 boys joined Francisco shortly after and settled in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Ruben attended grade school located in Santurce, PR. He graduated from South High in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1961. After HS graduation, Ruben enlisted in the Military and served 4 years in the Army as a Military Police Officer. In 1965, Ruben attended the Academy of Criminal Investigation. He was assigned to the Homicide Unit and the Hotel Squad. He performed functions related to the crime surrounding the hotel establishments as a Detective with the Puerto Rico Police Department. Ruben met his late wife, Antonia, in 1965, and they both got married in 1967 in Santurce, PR. Together, they raised four children in the state of Maryland. In 1971, Ruben joined the DC Metropolitan Police Department as a Uniformed Patrol Officer. From there, he continued to excel in his career. In 1972, he began work as a plain clothes police officer with the Narcotics Branch Inspectional Service Bureau. From 1973-1980, Ruben worked as an Investigator in the Morals Division. In 1980, Ruben began as a Detective in the Homicide Branch. There, he was one of the principal investigators on many homicides that occurred in the 80s within the DC and surrounding jurisdictions. Ruben was a hard worker and always worked overtime to provide for his family. He took pride in the work that he did. He was one of the only Homicide Detectives whose murder case made it to the Supreme Court and won. Ruben finally decided to hang up his police hat, and he retired in 1993. Ruben and Antonia eventually relocated to sunny Florida, where they lived for the last 35 years. Ruben couldn’t sit still after retirement, and he had to try his hand at many business ventures. He worked as a used car salesman, owned and operated a pawn shop, a limousine business, a recycling business, opened up 2 restaurants, a transportation business, a skip tracing & repossession business, and was involved with the rental of residential properties. From 2006-2009, Ruben went back into the workforce as a Security Specialist with FEMA. In addition to work, Ruben thoroughly enjoyed nature, gardening in his backyard, and photography. He had a keen eye for a great shot, and he had one of the greenest thumbs. He planted any seed that he found in the ground. He is survived by his 4 children, Marilyn Sanchez-Henry (Gavin), Ruben Sanchez, Jr (Viveka), Maribel Sanchez-Taylor (Earl), and Raul Sanchez (Melissa). His grandchildren are Gabriella, Marisa, and Alejandro Sanchez-Henry, Cristian and Elena Sanchez, and Iris, Rosalynn, and Zoe Sanchez. His remaining brother, Carlos Francisco, and many nieces and nephews.

Ruben Sanchez Serrano

March 26, 1942 - April 22, 2025