Marion County Sheriff's Office, Florida
End of Watch: Tuesday, January 2, 1990
Age: 23
Tour of Duty: 3 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
Date of Incident: January 2, 1990
Weapon Used: Automobile; Alcohol involved
Suspect Info: Not available
Deputy Bill Rutherford succumbed to injuries received when his patrol car was struck by a drunk driver on State Road 200 near the entrance of Central Florida Community College at 12:30 am.
Deputy Rutherford was traveling westbound when the driver crossed the center line and hit him head-on. He was transported to Munroe Regional Medical Center, where he died that afternoon.
The drunk driver was also killed in the crash. The driver's passenger was treated and released.
Deputy Rutherford had served with the Marion County Sheriff's Office for three years. He was survived by his wife
The US 441 between Country Road 475 and County Road 328 was renamed Deputy William Hamilton Rutherford.