Nathan D. Ruch

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.