ATASCOSA COUNTY, Texas — The community is rallying behind a 911 dispatcher with the Atascosa Sheriff's Office and his family.
Since 2022, 44-year-old Andrew Guerra has battled multiple health issues including kidney and heart failure. Guerra has helped so many in the community and now loved ones are asking for your help.
Guerra is currently in the hospital and on Tuesday he is expected to have his pacemaker removed and replaced. All the health issues have been a financial burden so Atascosa County Sheriff, David Soward, is stepping into help.
“Andrew is the kind of guy that if you knew him, you're going to want to help him. He would do the same for anybody else," said Sheriff Soward.
For nearly 20 years, Guerra or more commonly known as Dru, has worked for Atascosa County. Since 2012, Guerra has worked as a 911 dispatcher.
“He's handled calls and life and death situations and helped people out a number of times," said Soward.
Guerra has also been a staple in the football and baseball community for 25 years, coaching and mentoring many players who enthusiastically call him Coach Dru.
In 2022, Guerra received shocking news about his health.
“His kidney function was at 11%," said Amanda Guerra, Andrew's wife.
Amanda, who also works for the Sheriff's Office as an administrative assistant, says since then it's been a series of bad luck with his health.
“The bad part has been all of the co-morbidities that come along with renal failure that he seems to be experiencing," she said.
After years of dialysis, he's experienced heart failure and a staph infection of the blood. He'll need to have surgery to have his pacemaker removed and replaced.
It's uncertain how long he will be in the hospital. Guerra has used all his paid time off and won't have any income this holiday season. With five children and raising a niece and nephew, bills are mounting.
To help, Sheriff Soward started a GoFundMe for the Guerra's which has raised nearly $9,000 so far.
“The community will help a guy that has helped many people himself," said Soward.
Amanda Guerra says asking for help is awkward but she is thankful to everyone that has helped them as they try and get through this patch of bad luck. Guerra says the outpouring of support has been incredible.
“It's just been rough lately. God," Amanda said.
If you would like to help the Guerra's, there are several ways to help. You can find the GoFundMe by clicking here.
You can also mail checks to the following address:
Sheriff David Soward
1108 Campbell Avenue
Jourdanton, TX 78026
Guerra is also on a wait list for a kidney. If you would like to see if your a match or maybe a match for someone else, you can visit this site. You will need Andrew Guerra's date of birth: 11/23/1980.