[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 166 (Friday, October 5, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1376]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO MAJOR JACOB RUIZ

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DARREN SOTO

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 5, 2018

  Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, I want to honor Major Jacob Ruiz as a 
distinguished leader in Central Florida for Hispanic Heritage Month. 
Major Jacob Ruiz raised in Arecibo, Puerto Rico and moved to the 
mainland U.S. at 12 years old. He is a former Marine, who began his law 
enforcement career in 1999 with the Hampden County Sheriff's Department 
in Massachusetts.
  He later relocated to South Florida where he worked for the Broward 
Sheriff's Office and then as a Police Officer with the Lauderhill 
Police Department. In 2003, Major Ruiz relocated to Central Florida 
where he began his career with the Osceola County Sheriff's Office.
  Major Ruiz has worked as a Patrol Deputy, School Resource Officer, 
Persons Crimes detective and SWAT team operator. Major Ruiz attained 
the ranks of Sergeant, Lieutenant and in 2017, he was promoted to 
Captain by Sheriff Russell Gibson and later that year to Major.
  Major Ruiz oversees the administration of the School Safety Division, 
Court Services Division and is the director of Media and Public 
Relations for the sheriff's office. He is the father of four children; 
Sara, Jaylin, Ellie and Jacob Jr. and they are his proudest and most 
important part of his life.
  Major Ruiz holds degrees in Homeland Security, History and currently 
attends Rollins College's Executive MBA program. He is a graduate of 
the Southern Police Institute's Command Officers Development Course 
from the University of Louisville and a board member of the Osceola 
Hispanic Business Council and the Osceola Boys and Girls Club.
  Major Ruiz has been instrumental in uniting and engaging the 
community with their local sheriff's office. Major Ruiz works to bridge 
the gap between law enforcement and the Hispanic Community that may 
exist from time to time, through communication, education and community 
service, in efforts of reinforcing the greatness of our Central FL 
Community.
  Major Ruiz is intentional in celebrating inclusion and diversity 
throughout our community and does this while also being committed to 
public service.

                          ____________________