Ex Philly Cop Charged With Murder In 2017 Killing Of Unarmed Man

PHILADELPHIA — Nearly three years after Dennis Plowden was shot and killed by a Philadelphia Police officer, the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office has filed charges against the officer who pulled the trigger.

District Attorney Larry Krasner Friday said former Philadelphia Police Officer Erich Ruch Jr., 33, is charged with first- and third-degree murder, voluntary manslaughter, and possession of an instrument of crime in connection with Plowden's 2017 death.

“According to the presentment, Eric Ruch killed Dennis Plowden while on duty by firing his gun directly at Plowden’s head, as Plowden sat on the ground with his left, empty hand raised and clearly visible," Krasner said. "According to evidence presented to the Grand Jury, Plowden ‘looked dazed and lost on the sidewalk,’ having just stumbled from his car following a high-speed crash, and appeared to be trying to obey commands given by police officers at the scene."

Ruch was suspended for 30 days then fired in October 2018. He was a 10-year veteran of the force.

He turned himself in to police Friday and is being held without bail, the DA's office said.

The incident occurred Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2017 at about 8:38 p.m. at Opal Street and Nedro Avenue in Germantown and stemmed from a traffic stop.

According to authorities, a plainclothes officer saw a 2013 white four-door Hyundai that was wanted in connection with a Dec. 21 homicide traveling northbound on Ogontz Avenue.

Police followed the vehicle after radioing for marked patrol car back up, but the Hyundai stopped at the 16th Street and Nedroa Avenue intersection, police said.

When police exited their vehicles to approach the vehicle, Plowden allegedly sped off heading west on Nedro, hitting the passenger side door of a patrol car and subsequently an officer, police said.

Officers followed the vehicle and found it stopped after it struck two parked vehicles on the 1900 block of Nedro Avenue.

Plowden go out of the vehicle and began to run away, according to police. Officers commanded him to stop, but he allegedly did not listen, police said. Police said Plowden then reached his hand into a jacket pocket, which prompted Ruch to fire one round at Plowden, striking him in the head.

A preliminary investigation shows Plowden was in a seated position on the sidewalk when he was shot, police said.

He was rushed to Einstein Medical Center and pronounced dead at 7:18 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 28, police said.

The officer who was struck was taken to Temple University Hospital for injuries to his right arm and hand, and was treated and released, police said.

A 27-year-old woman who was in the Hyundai was also taken to Einstein for treatment of bruises and abrasions suffered in the collisions, police said.