Sgt. John Ruark retired from the Air Force 30 years ago, after three decades of outstanding service.Last week, the Albuquerque Police Department found his medals in a hotel dumpster in New Mexico.But now, thanks to social media, the medals are back where they belong – in the hands of his son, who happens to be an APD chaplain.“I think over 30 years since I have seen them,” said Ruark’s son, Geraldo Cionelo. "I was shocked but distraught, confused and there was a lot of anger into it too."Last week, APD Sgt. Justin Trebitowski received a call from a hotel manager. The two had been working together on some community policing projects.“She found this item in the dumpster,” Trebitowsi said while looking at a shadow box filled with military, medals ribbons and ranks. “She looked at it and said, 'It looks like it is important to someone, what should we do?'”So APD started searching for Ruark and couldn’t find anyone living at the addresses he previously lived at in Albuquerque."It is basically a decoration of his career,” said APD Lt. Adam Anaya. “Has his medals and all of his ranks on there.”So they went to sister station KOAT for help to broadcast pictures of the box. KOAT staff found a retired Air Force sergeant with the same name living in the Philippines and, although they couldn't reach him, they did find his family, including Cionelo.“I am going to email him and say, 'Dad, look what I have here,'” Cionelo said.Neither APD nor the family know exactly how the medals ended up in this dumpster. The suspect it had been stolen and someone threw it away.“The possibilities are endless,” Anaya said.But one thing is for sure: these medals are back where they belong.“Those are cherished things for people who have served our country,” Anaya said. “We as citizens need to show our due respect for it."
Sgt. John Ruark retired from the Air Force 30 years ago, after three decades of outstanding service.
Last week, the Albuquerque Police Department found his medals in a hotel dumpster in New Mexico.
But now, thanks to social media, the medals are back where they belong – in the hands of his son, who happens to be an APD chaplain.
“I think over 30 years since I have seen them,” said Ruark’s son, Geraldo Cionelo. "I was shocked but distraught, confused and there was a lot of anger into it too."
Last week, APD Sgt. Justin Trebitowski received a call from a hotel manager. The two had been working together on some community policing projects.
“She found this item in the dumpster,” Trebitowsi said while looking at a shadow box filled with military, medals ribbons and ranks. “She looked at it and said, 'It looks like it is important to someone, what should we do?'”
So APD started searching for Ruark and couldn’t find anyone living at the addresses he previously lived at in Albuquerque.
"It is basically a decoration of his career,” said APD Lt. Adam Anaya. “Has his medals and all of his ranks on there.”
So they went to sister station KOAT for help to broadcast pictures of the box.
KOAT staff found a retired Air Force sergeant with the same name living in the Philippines and, although they couldn't reach him, they did find his family, including Cionelo.
“I am going to email him and say, 'Dad, look what I have here,'” Cionelo said.
Neither APD nor the family know exactly how the medals ended up in this dumpster. The suspect it had been stolen and someone threw it away.
“The possibilities are endless,” Anaya said.
But one thing is for sure: these medals are back where they belong.
“Those are cherished things for people who have served our country,” Anaya said. “We as citizens need to show our due respect for it."
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