Rutherford attended the
State University of New York, where he was a member of the ROTC program. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English and Sociology. After receiving a delay of duty so that he could enter priestly formation at
Saint Bernard's Seminary, Rutherford was ordained a priest for the
Diocese of Albany in 1981. After ordination, he served in the
United States Army Reserves as chaplain to the 364th General Hospital. He entered active duty in 1990. Rutherford served in
Operation Desert Shield,
Operation Desert Storm, Operation Hurricane Andrew Relief, and
Operation Iraqi Freedom. He served as chaplain to
United States Army Europe and the
7th Army,
Camp Victory,
XVIII Airborne Corps, the
3rd Infantry Division, and the
82nd Airborne Division. He assumed this role on 7 July 2011. He currently serves as the Vicar for Clergy for the Diocese of Albany. ==Awards and decorations==