'Our Hearts Are Broken:' Sergeant, 37, Dies After Battling Rare Disease

BRAIDWOOD — The Patterson Funeral Home will hold the visitation and funeral service this week for 37-year-old Grundy County Sheriff's Sgt. Andrew Serena, who died Sunday at Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn. Serena, of South Wilmington, joined Grundy County's police force five years ago, coming from the Pontiac Police Department, according to Sheriff Ken Briley.

Serena was born in Morris and graduated from Joliet Junior College, and later graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Illinois State University in 2012. He served as a correctional officer at the Grundy County Jail for the last five years, according to the funeral home.

Sheriff Briley told Joliet Patch that Serena was just made a sergeant a few months ago. Then, in early February, during a police explorers conference in Champaign, Serena complained about feeling a severe back pain, but he insisted on staying at the conference.

"He thought it might be a pulled muscle," Briley explained.

According to the sheriff, Serena's condition worsened, and he ended up in the hospital. The medical staff determined that Serena had an infection near his hip and spine, and the infection later spread to his brain. Briley said that the Grundy County Sheriff's officials were informed that the disease is called blastomycosis, which is a fungal infection.

Serena's death at such a young age is a terrible jolt for the Grundy County law enforcement community, Sheriff Briley said. Based in Morris, Grundy County has about 70 total full-time employees, including 16 in the jail.

Briley pointed out how Serena was so excited about being promoted to the rank of sergeant. "Andrew was just a good, fun guy who made people laugh, just a super nice person, the life of the party," Briley said.

On Monday, the Grundy County Sheriff's Facebook page shared that "Our hearts are broken as we deal with this loss. Sgt. Andrew Serena was truly one of a kind. His smile, sarcastic humor, love for the Sheriff's Office, and passion for his field will truly be missed.

"Sgt. Serena served the Grundy County Sheriff's Office for the last five years as a Corrections Officer, Corrections Sergeant, Explorer Advisor, A.L.I.C.E. Instructor, Cell Extract Instructor, and genuine friend. He will be deeply missed. He was Definitely one of the good ones. Our hearts go out to Andrew’s family and friends. Please keep them in your thoughts"

According to the Braidwood funeral home, visitation will be at the R.W. Patterson Funeral Home & Crematory on Thursday, April 17 from 3-7 p.m. with the funeral service starting at 7 p.m. Inurnment will be private at Braceville-Gardner Cemetery in Braceville.

The Braidwood funeral home is at 401 East Main St.