Pendergrass Police Department, Georgia
End of Watch: Wednesday, December 29, 2004
Age: 45
Tour of Duty: 12 years
Badge Number: 785
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: December 29, 2004
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
Patrolman Chris Ruse was shot and killed following a vehicle pursuit on GA 129 at approximately 10:00 pm.
The pickup truck that the victim officer was pursuing overturned near Pond Fork Church Road. As Patrolman Ruse approached the vehicle, one of the two occupants opened fire, striking him. The shooter, who suffered a gunshot wound to the leg, fled the scene but was apprehended a short time later during a manhunt. The second suspect was apprehended at the scene of the crash.
Patrolman Ruse was transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center, in Gainesville, where he succumbed to his wounds.
The suspect who shot Patrolman Ruse pleaded guilty to murder on April 11, 2006, and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Patrolman Ruse was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. He had only served with the Pendergrass Police Department for four months and had previously served with the Winder City Police Department and Arcade Police Department for 12 years. He is survived by his wife and four young children.