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Trooper David Irvine Rucker | Texas Department of Public Safety - Texas Highway Patrol, Texas Texas Department of Public Safety - Texas Highway Patrol, Texas

Trooper

David Irvine Rucker

Texas Department of Public Safety - Texas Highway Patrol, Texas

End of Watch: Tuesday, September 29, 1981

Bio & Incident Details

Age: 37

Tour: 14 years

Badge # Not available

Cause: Gunfire

Incident Date: 9/29/1981

Weapon: Gun; Unknown type

Suspect: Executed in 1993

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Trooper David Rucker was shot and killed while making a traffic stop.

Shortly after he was murdered, Patrolman Enrique Carrisalez stopped the same man, not knowing he had just shot and killed Trooper Rucker, and was shot and killed himself as he exited his patrol car. A doctor found Trooper Rucker's body laid out in the traffic lane holding the identification of the man wanted in connection with both murders. Trooper Rucker had never radioed in the stop.

The suspect was eventually arrested and was executed in 1993. During a search of the suspect's home officers recovered the stolen duty weapon of Hidalgo County Constable Ricky Lewis, murdered in 1979. The suspect was never charged with Constable Lewis' murder, which remains unsolved.

Trooper Rucker had served with the Texas Highway Patrol for 14 years. He was survived by his wife and three children.

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Related Line of Duty Deaths

Deputy Constable Ricky Steven Lewis
Hidalgo County Constable's Office - Precinct 3, Texas
End of Watch: Saturday, February 17, 1979
Cause: Gunfire

Patrolman Enrique L. Carrisalez
Los Fresnos Police Department, Texas
End of Watch: Wednesday, October 7, 1981
Cause: Gunfire

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Most Recent Reflection

David,

You knew that for the 15 years that we friends, you were always a loyal and true friend. You always treated me as one of the family. Our friendship was genuine and lasting. I can't tell you how much you are missed. I think I lived more at your place than at my own home. Thelma would know as she also was so kind to me. Just to let you know David, my son Justin also began his stint as a State Trooper in 2006, I am so proud of him.

I just wanted to you to know David how much of an influence you were to me, as I just retired after 27 years in Law Enforcement.

I would love to connect with Thelma and family again. It's been a long time.

Brady Parker Chief of Police (ret)

Brady Parker Chief of Police (Ret)
Very Close Friend
January 6, 2012

 

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