A Virginia man Steve Rucker
who fled from police on horseback through downtown Lynchburg in 2024 was tased and eventually run over by an out-of-control police cruiser. Now, he wants $5 million from the officers involved.
What Happened That Night Steve Rucker, of Amherst County, was wanted for violation of a protective order — charges which were dropped by prosecutors after his flight from police — and was fleeing Amherst authorities when he rode on horseback across the James River and into downtown Lynchburg.
After turning and fleeing into a suburban area, officers again caught up with Rucker, with Miller deploying his taser against him.
Officer Zachary Miller tases Steve Rucker as he flees on horseback. (Photo from court records)
Rucker then rode another few blocks before falling from his horse. That’s where his and the officers’ stories diverge.
According to Rucker, Lynchburg police first encountered him outside of the Holiday Inn on Main Street. Rucker fled on Main Street, with one officer, who was not named in the case, allegedly calling in on the radio to say, “He’s not stopping. We’re in pursuit of a horse.”
Farrar was the first to fire his taser at Rucker, with bodycam stills from that night showing him firing — and missing — as he chased Rucker on foot.
After turning and fleeing into a suburban area, officers again caught up with Rucker, with Miller deploying his taser against him.
After turning and fleeing into a suburban area, officers again caught up with Rucker, with Miller deploying his taser against him.
