According to the Kern County Sheriff's Office, in September of 2012, Robert Ruiz's home was burglarized and several items were stolen. 

Unbeknownst to him, the military service medals he earned while serving in the US Army and fighting in the Vietnam War were taken during the crime. 

Sgt. Lauro Cantu searched and located the missing medals and on March 8, 2017 Sgt. Lauro Cantu to search for and locate Mr. Ruiz in order to return Mr. Ruiz's stolen Bronze Star, Air Medal and Vietnam Service medal to him. 

In a Facebook post the Kern Sheriff's Office posted, "Mr. Ruiz, on behalf of the Kern County Sheriff's Office, thank you for the courageous and selfless sacrifices you made at such a young age on behalf of this grateful nation."