Hello,

I am Ruamen Delarua, and as you already know, I am running for Sheriff of Miami-Dade County, a position that has not existed in our county since 1966, and today it is more than just necessary, it is urgent. I bring with me more than 40 years of law enforcement experience. You, as a taxpayer and voter, deserve an innovative, forward thinking candidate who is ready to put the citizens first and lock the criminals away.

Of the many candidates who are running, I am the only candidate with more than 40 years of experience in both the local Miami Police and the Sheriff’s Office of another important county in Florida, which will mean a smooth transition and no delays to the all new Miami-Dade County Sheriff’s Office.

I was born in Santa Clara, Cuba and at the young age of two, my family fled through Camarioca on the Freedom Flights to New York via Miami, and a few years later, we returned to Hialeah, where I was raised.

My parents were from Havana, and my dear father worked as a Santiago-Havana bus driver for more than 20 years, transporting thousands of Cubans throughout the island. My beloved mother was a nurse for many years, always helping those in need with much love and endearing care. Both contributed for many years to the Cuban Diaspora in the United States, and always longed to see their Cuba, once again free and sovereign.

Knowing what was coming to Cuba, my grandfather immigrated to New York in the 1950’s and settled in New Jersey, this being the reason we briefly lived in the northeast of our country. During those years there were not many Latinos, like the presence that exists today, and he worked very hard for many years to get his children out of Cuba’s communist yoke and towards freedom.

My grandfather’s last daughter to leave Cuba was my dear Tia Flora Delarua who lived in Spain for a few years until arriving in Miami in 1974. Today, Tia Flora is 93 years old, and I thank God every day that she is still a part of my life, always learning from her values that have always guided me.

While attending Palm Springs Junior High School in Hialeah, I joined the Police Explorer’s program, where my interest in a career in law enforcement was catapulted into action and where I am today. It would be the highest honor and reward to have this opportunity of serving the nearly 3 million residents of our county as your Sheriff. I humbly ask for and appreciate your support.

Sincerely,

Ruamen De La Rua