Ruthford was a human male stormtrooper captain who served with a new generation of stormtroopers during the rise of the First Order. A veteran of the Galactic Empire, Ruthford preferred his original stormtrooper armor over the version worn by younger troopers. He accompanied Kylo Ren to the planet Benath due to his prior experience with the species while serving under the Sith Lord Darth Vader. During the battle, Ruthford witnessed Ren slay a Zillo Beast which caused the remaining Benathy to submit to the First Order warlord.