Blue Alert: Suspects wanted after Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper shot in Putnam County

UPDATE: Braze Rucker is now in custody. Efforts to identify and locate the driver remain ongoing. For an updated article, click here .

PUTNAM COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — Interstate 40 East in Putnam County was closed Friday night due to a trooper-involved shooting near mile marker 285 outside Cookeville.

According to Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP), the incident took place on Friday, July 19 at approximately 7:47 p.m. near the Burgess Fall exit.

Officials said Trooper Adam Cothron pulled over a white Kia Forte for a traffic violation and was shot during the interaction. Shortly after, the vehicle fled on Highway 109 near Gallatin.

Just after 9 p.m., THP posted to X that they were “actively searching for two black males with facial tattoos driving a white Kia Forte.”

Then, minutes later, THP posted a picture of the vehicle wanted in connection with the shooting. Officials described the suspect vehicle as a white Kia Forte with a possible Tennessee temporary tag that reads Q9SC4JR.

Just after midnight, THP announced that the suspect vehicle was found abandoned in Sumner County — more specifically, on Highway 109 near Gallatin, law enforcement later confirmed. However, the search for the driver and passenger remained ongoing.

Authorities then uploaded a photo of the passenger involved in the incident, identifying him as 29-year-old Braze Rucker.

“If you have any information that will aid us in locating this person along with the other individual involved please dial 911 immediately,” the update read.

A Blue Alert was issued for Rucker and he has since been added to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s “Most Wanted” list. Officials said they have obtained warrants against Rucker — who should be considered armed and dangerous — for criminal responsibility of facilitation of a felony in connection with the shooting.

On Saturday, July 20, THP announced that there is a reward of up to $10,000 being offered for any information that could lead to Rucker’s arrest.

THP released a video Saturday night to discuss the shooting and the search for Rucker, during which time Col. Matt Perry said, “Should Mr. Rucker see this, I strongly encourage you to turn yourself in. Law enforcement across Tennessee and the country are looking for you.”

Anyone who spots Rucker should not approach him, officials said. Instead, call 1-800-TBI-FIND or 911.

“We are seeking a non-violent resolution to the apprehension of all individuals involved in this extremely violent situation,” Perry stated.

The trooper, Cothron, was first treated at Cookeville Regional Medical Center and was then flown to Vanderbilt University Medical Center. According to THP, Cothron is in stable condition.

As of Saturday night, Cothron is alert and in good spirits, which, according to Perry, “is exactly what we would expect from the trooper we know and love.” However, Perry still encourages everyone to keep Cothron, his loved ones, and his coworkers in their thoughts and prayers.

THP said Cothron joined the agency in 2015 and was a former deputy sheriff for Trousdale County.

“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,” the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security added.

According to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office , an account has been set up at Citizens Bank to help Cothron and his family in the aftermath of the shooting. The bank has 21 locations in Bedford, Clay, Coffee, DeKalb, Jackson, Macon, Overton, Putnam, Smith, Sumner, and Wilson counties.

Multiple lawmakers — like state Sen. Paul Bailey (R-Sparta) , state Rep. Kelly Kiesling (R-Byrdstown) , and Putnam County Mayor Randy Porter — have posted their condolences on social media, along with other law enforcement agencies. That includes the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office , the Trousdale County Sheriff’s Department , and the Marion County Sheriff’s Department.

“What happened to our trooper is a heinous, horrific, just almost unhuman type of an action. It did not have to happen. He was pulled over for a traffic stop; it may have led to just a simple, minor, misdemeanor citation, but it did not,” Lt. Bill Miller, a public information officer for THP, told News 2. “It led to a trooper fighting for his life. It left a wife and this trooper’s children at home in fear that their husband and father may not come home.”

No additional details have been released about the investigation into Friday night’s shooting.

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