Nathan D. Ruch

How they died

Deadly force

Officer James Merica shot unarmed Nathan D. Ruch after a chase. According to police, Merica saw a 1998 Dodge pickup being driven erratically at around 10:40 p.m. Ruch reportedly accelerated and continued for 8-10 blocks after Merica turned on his emergency lights. The pickup paused behind a house on Doud Court. Merica said the engine revved and he thought the truck was stuck. Merica exited his other with a shotgun as the pickup came around the house and "veered toward the officer," police said. Merica fired four shots at the truck, which crossed the cul-de-sac and crashed into a garage. Ruch died from a gunshot wound to the head. A State Police investigation cleared Merica of criminal wrongdoing. Normal police officials said in depositions that Merica had violated procedure around the chase. In discovery documents from a civil lawsuit, other officers said they'd heard Merica talk about wanting to shoot people in the years before the shooting. A $750,000 settlement was reached in the lawsuit.

Why we remember them

This record exists so that Nathan D. Ruch, and all who are named in this archive, are never reduced to a number.

References & sources