Kegan30317
12-30-2004, 16:54
May he Rest in Peace. May the bastards who murdered him suffer an eternity in hell.
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Police Officer Shot Dead - North Georgia (http://www.11alive.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=56770)
One of only seven police officers in the small Georgia town of Pendergrass suffered fatal injuries during a shootout with two men Wednesday night. The suspects were later captured.
Officer Chris Ruse, 47, a new addition to the force, left behind a wife and several children, officials said.
"My guys all have families and children and they make hundreds and hundreds of traffic stops and who knows when it's your time. It's just devastating," said Chief Rob Russell.
According to officials, Officer Ruse noticed a white truck with Texas plates speed past his cruiser about 8 p.m. Wednesday on Highway 129. He gave chase when the truck's driver refused to stop and witnessed the truck flip over when the driver lost control several miles away.
"The officer approached the vehicle. Upon the officer approaching the vehicle, he was shot, I believe once in the chest and once in the head area," said Judge Scott Tolbert.
Ruse fired back, striking one of the men. Both suspects fled on foot and were later captured during a multi-county manhunt that included help from a Georgia State Patrol aviation unit.
Ruse died later at Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville.
"It's a small police force. It's a very close-knit community," said Chief Russell. "Everybody knows everybody here."
An officer from another agency and a fellow Pendergrass police officer witnessed the shooting. Troopers from the Georgia State Patrol's Athens and Gainesville had been dispatched to help in the police pursuit.
"I think it came home to everybody because a lot of us said it could have been me. You never know what could happen to you. It's something I don't think we'll ever get over," said Russell.
One of the suspects has been identified as Richard Whitaker of Flowery Branch. He is suspected of being the shooter and is charged with felony murder and aggravated assault.
The other suspect has been identified as Nolan Leon Chauvin of Dacula, Ga., and he has also been charged with felony murder and aggravated assault.
One of them is recovering in the hospital in stable condition.
Their first court appearance has been scheduled for Thursday afternoon.
Although Officer Ruse was a rookie cop on the Pendergrass staff, he was an experienced law enforcement officer. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 16 years and retired in 1991 as a staff sergeant. He joined the Winder Police Department and worked there for 12 years, retiring last year as a lieutenant.
He joined the Pendergrass Police Department four months ago.
A memorial fund has been set up in the name of the slain officer. If you are interested in contributing please send donations to:
Christopher Ruse Memorial Fund
c/o People’s Bank
71 N. Broad St.
Winder, GA 30680
The GBI is handling the investigation into the shooting. The Georgia State Patrol is investigating the crash of the truck.
The town of Pendergrass is located 15 miles south of Gainesville in Jackson County.
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Police Officer Shot Dead - North Georgia (http://www.11alive.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=56770)
One of only seven police officers in the small Georgia town of Pendergrass suffered fatal injuries during a shootout with two men Wednesday night. The suspects were later captured.
Officer Chris Ruse, 47, a new addition to the force, left behind a wife and several children, officials said.
"My guys all have families and children and they make hundreds and hundreds of traffic stops and who knows when it's your time. It's just devastating," said Chief Rob Russell.
According to officials, Officer Ruse noticed a white truck with Texas plates speed past his cruiser about 8 p.m. Wednesday on Highway 129. He gave chase when the truck's driver refused to stop and witnessed the truck flip over when the driver lost control several miles away.
"The officer approached the vehicle. Upon the officer approaching the vehicle, he was shot, I believe once in the chest and once in the head area," said Judge Scott Tolbert.
Ruse fired back, striking one of the men. Both suspects fled on foot and were later captured during a multi-county manhunt that included help from a Georgia State Patrol aviation unit.
Ruse died later at Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville.
"It's a small police force. It's a very close-knit community," said Chief Russell. "Everybody knows everybody here."
An officer from another agency and a fellow Pendergrass police officer witnessed the shooting. Troopers from the Georgia State Patrol's Athens and Gainesville had been dispatched to help in the police pursuit.
"I think it came home to everybody because a lot of us said it could have been me. You never know what could happen to you. It's something I don't think we'll ever get over," said Russell.
One of the suspects has been identified as Richard Whitaker of Flowery Branch. He is suspected of being the shooter and is charged with felony murder and aggravated assault.
The other suspect has been identified as Nolan Leon Chauvin of Dacula, Ga., and he has also been charged with felony murder and aggravated assault.
One of them is recovering in the hospital in stable condition.
Their first court appearance has been scheduled for Thursday afternoon.
Although Officer Ruse was a rookie cop on the Pendergrass staff, he was an experienced law enforcement officer. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 16 years and retired in 1991 as a staff sergeant. He joined the Winder Police Department and worked there for 12 years, retiring last year as a lieutenant.
He joined the Pendergrass Police Department four months ago.
A memorial fund has been set up in the name of the slain officer. If you are interested in contributing please send donations to:
Christopher Ruse Memorial Fund
c/o People’s Bank
71 N. Broad St.
Winder, GA 30680
The GBI is handling the investigation into the shooting. The Georgia State Patrol is investigating the crash of the truck.
The town of Pendergrass is located 15 miles south of Gainesville in Jackson County.