An arrest has been made in connection to the shooting of a Tennessee Highway patrolman Friday evening. According to a press release issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Security, a Blue alert was issued after Trooper Adam Cothron was shot during a traffic stop on I-40, mile marker 285, near the Burgess Falls exit at approximately 7:47 p.m. Cothron pulled over a white Kia Forte for a traffic violation, the release noted. According to the report, there were two black males in Kia and Cothron was shot during the interaction with the individuals.
An alert was issued for the vehicle and a search was underway for the two subjects involved in the shooting.
One of the individuals was identified as Braze Rucker, 29. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation listed Rucker on their “Most Wanted” list and a $10,000 reward was offered for information leading to Rucker’s whereabouts.
Early Sunday morning, around 3:30, members of the Kentucky State Police took Rucker into custody in Princeton. The THP noted Kentucky troopers used Cothron’ handcuffs to place him into custody.
Cothron was airlifted to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, where he remains in stable condition, as of reports over the weekend.
Putnam County Mayor Randy Porter shared an update from Cothron’s wife, Gena, on his official Facebook page.
“Adam is doing much better than when we arrived! He’s such a trooper through and through. He’s getting some muscle response movements in his legs now and his arms are improving as well. The bullet will remain where it’s at unless his body starts to try getting rid of it on its own. The doctors tell us that it should not cause any problems to leave it.
“The good news: the bullet is not lodged in his spinal column like originally thought. It’s actually in his right scapula area. It almost exited. This gives us hope that recovery of mobility in his legs will be better.
“We know this is all in the hands of our almighty and wonderful God we serve. We appreciate each and every phone call, text, donation, visit, and prayer that has been lifted up on behalf of Adam. I believe in the power of prayer, please keep them coming,” she noted.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol issued a video statement on Sunday after Rucker’s arrest.
“The search for Braze Rucker is over. Today, troopers with Kentucky State Police used THP Trooper Adam Cothron’s handcuffs to take Rucker into custody in Princeton KY. Thankful to KSP, TBI, and all law enforcement agencies in Tennessee and to the citizens of Tennessee for your support,” the THP said.
“Before joining the THP in 2015 Trooper Cothron was a former Deputy Sheriff for the Trousdale County Sheriff’s Office. He is a certified K-9 handler and is an outstanding trooper and comes from a respected law enforcement family, but what he is best known for is being a father and a husband to his wonderful family. We ask that you please keep him and his family in your prayers,” the release by the state department of safety and homeland security noted.
Rucker faces charges of Criminal Responsibility of Facilitation of a Felony.
The search continues for the second person in the vehicle. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call 1-800-TBI-FIND.
