Project Blue Marcus Lee Zaruba Endowed Scholarship

This scholarship was established to assist with education expenses. Early on, Marcus determined that he wanted to pursue a career in the Criminal Justice System so he began his education at lee College in 1998 where he obtained an Associate ‘s Degree of Applied Science in Criminal Justice. With a major in law Enforcement he graduated with a 3.17 GPA in 2001. He then went on to Sam Houston University where he received a Bachelor’s degree with honors in Criminal Justice. He obtained a cumulative GPA of 3.44 and graduated in the first quarter of his class in 2003. Marcus was a member of Alpha Phi Sigma National Criminal Justice Honor Society, Phi Chapter as well as Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity, Delta Upsilon chapter. In addition he was a member of Golden Key International Honor Society. tie received the Award of Excellence in Criminal Justice while at Lee College and made the Dean’s list at Sam Houston State University. All of his hard work would become beneficial when he applied for a position with the Sugar Land Police Department. Marcus originally had a dream to work for the DEA; however he was advised to start out as a police officer, hence his application to Sugar Land. His pursuit of excellence made him an outstanding police officer for the Sugar Land PD and this was no longer just a stepping stone but the place he wanted to serve his entire career. Marcus had a passion to serve his community and he leaves behind that legacy through his scholarship which will enable outstanding students to pursue their dreams in the criminal justice system.

The Project Blue Marcus Lee Zaruba Foundation was started in 2009 to honor Marcus Lee Zaruba. Marcus was a wonderful son, brother, husband, uncle and police officer serving three years with the Sugar land Police Department. He passed away at the age of 29 years old to adenocarcinoma (cancer of the GI tract), after only 8 weeks after being diagnosed. Throughout his illness, the Sugar land Police Department helped Marcus through fundraising, donations and overall support. The foundation was started in order to give back to other police officer associations and to fund criminal justice scholarships.