From the moment a suspect fired three shots at him in a Chicago alley, Ruben's life transformed forever. In this powerful conversation, Ruben takes us through his journey from Marine infantryman to Chicago police officer, building to the harrowing day when he and his partner Jeff were both shot while on duty.

With remarkable candor, Ruben describes his upbringing in Chicago, his time in the Marine Corps including deployment to Iraq, and his transition to law enforcement. The conversation builds toward the fateful encounter that left him wounded and his partner with a bullet permanently lodged in his skull – a moment that altered both their lives permanently.

Beyond the shooting itself, Ruben shares the psychological aftermath, their return to duty, and their assignment to the prestigious Fugitive Task Force hunting dangerous criminals.

The episode offers rare insights into police work's realities – from street-level interactions to departmental politics and the challenges officers face daily. Ruben reflects on how policing has changed, discussing both the community aspects and controversies surrounding modern law enforcement.

Finally, Ruben shares his journey founding Platoon Cigars during the pandemic, creating something positive from his experiences. This conversation beautifully captures the complexities of service, sacrifice, brotherhood, and rebuilding life after trauma. Whether you're interested in law enforcement, military service, or human resilience, this episode delivers powerful perspective from someone who's lived through extraordinary circumstances.

Go support Ruben and check out Platoon Cigars and you can follow him at:

Instagram: @PlatoonCigars and @robustocloud

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