Ruben Garcia

On September 30, 2024, Deputy Ruben Garcia was killed in a vehicle crash after assisting other officers at a crash scene on a Texas highway. He was sitting in his parked patrol vehicle on the side of the highway, preparing to drive away, when he was rear-ended by a truck driven by a man on his cellphone who was intoxicated. Deputy Garcia was transported to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries. He was 49 years old and had been a law enforcement officer for over 23 years. He served with the Cameron County Constable’s Office – Precinct 1 for over a year and previously served with the Cameron County Sheriff’s Office for 22 years. 

Garcia was born in Albion, Michigan, to Carmen Garcia. He and his sister were raised by their mother. They moved to Texas when he was a child. He loved playing baseball and enjoyed being outdoors with his neighborhood friends. While staying with family in Michigan, his cousin, who was a police officer at the time, took him on a ride which inspired him to serve his community. He began his law enforcement career in 2002 with the Cameron County Sheriff’s Department where he served for 22 years. He joined the Cameron County Constable’s Office in April of 2023. Garcia was proud to serve and enjoyed community outreach events, especially back to school, Halloween community events, food drives, and Christmas toy distributions. He loved the people he served. 

Garcia and his future wife, Mayra, met in high school but didn’t get to know each other until after graduation. Mutual friends brought them together, and they began talking more often. She was drawn to his outgoing nature and his sense of humor. They married and had three children: Ruben, Damian, and Camila. He was a devoted husband and dad, enjoying family cookouts and Houston Astros games together. He taught his children that hard work never goes unnoticed, and he instilled a sense of integrity in all who met him. 

Deputy Constable Ruben Garcia is survived by his loving wife, Mayra, his sons, Ruben and Damian, his daughter, Camila, his mother, Carmen Martinez, his sister, Rebecca Sanchez, and many other cherished family members and friends. 

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation has paid off the mortgage on the Garcia family home through the Fallen First Responder Home Program.