According to the city clerk's office, he served as Flint's Mayor for two terms from 1975-1983. He was then elected in August 2002 for a partial term that ended in November of 2003.
He was Flint's chief of police prior to being elected Mayor.
Rutherford is considered Flint's first strong mayor. He was later elected as a caretaker, or interim mayor, in 2002 after the recall of Mayor Woodrow Stanley and the appointment of Emergency Financial Manager Ed Kurtz by the state.
Rutherford took on the job of director of the Flint Downtown Development Authority and continued that role under former Mayor Don Williamson.
Ford says he had recently retired from his position as CEO there.
"[He] had the city right in his heat and loved every bit of it [and] Would do anything possible to further advance the city of Flint>
Rutherford was 84 years old.
