Former Police Officer Sues Saying He Shot Sergeant Because of His Sexual Harassment

Michael Rusk, a former police officer who shot his sergeant last year, is now taking legal action against his former department. Rusk claims he fired at his superior officer in self-defense, alleging that the sergeant had sexually assaulted him. He also accuses James City County (in Virginia) and its police department of negligence for not preventing what he describes as years of sexual harassment by Sergeant Christopher Gibson prior to the shooting.

This lawsuit, filed in June, follows an incident in January 2023 when Rusk, 26 shot and injured Gibson, 40, outside a local bar. Rusk is currently facing felony charges of malicious wounding and firearms offenses related to this incident.

Despite this, Rusk is seeking $5.5 million in damages, insisting that he’s the real victim. In the lawsuit, Rusk claims that between December 2021 and January 2023, Gibson made inappropriate sexual advances towards him, both on and off duty. These actions included handholding, touching, slapping Rusk’s behind, stalking, and making sexual comments.

According to the lawsuit, Rusk alleges that Gibson began using a location tracking app in September 2022 to keep tabs on Rusk’s whereabouts. Additionally, Gibson is accused of tracking Rusk’s location using a mobile data computer. Allegedly, Gibson was displeased when Rusk stopped using the app. He reportedly texted Rusk, “I’m mildly offended.”

As reported in the lawsuit, while most of the text exchanges between Gibson and Rusk were initiated by Gibson, Rusk did not object to the messages. However, the lawsuit also contends that Rusk became a victim of Gibson’s “manipulation” and felt pressured to appease his superior during their text conversations.

As stated in the complaint, “Mr. Rusk has been subject to illegal and intolerable conditions, including statements and other inappropriate and unwanted behaviors from [Gibson] that created an offensive and hostile work environment.” The complaint also states that the behavior by Gibson was largely ignored by JCC police leadership because Rusk is a male.

Some of the messages Gibson wrote to Rusk include “Just a reminder that you’re really attractive” and “Mikey coming to daddy?? Mikey not.” According to Gibson’s lawyer, the allegations made by Rusk are “false and malicious.”

A spokesperson for the JCC Police Department commented, “We take the allegations very seriously. We are committed to keeping a safe and hospitable workplace for all of our employees.”

According to the lawsuit, the shooting occurred after Gibson “forcefully prevented” Rusk from escaping and began sexually assaulting him. The lawsuit claims that Rusk had no choice but to reasonably defend himself. After shooting Gibson several times, Rusk called 911, asserting that he acted in self-defense. In a recording obtained by WAVY, Rusk is heard saying, “I told him ‘no’ and he just kept going. I told him to stop. He kept going. I thought he was gonna rape me.”

Earlier this year, Rusk was terminated from his position following a period of leave. His criminal trial is scheduled for later this year. Gibson retired from the department in May.