Kyle Matthew Moore, 53 announced his campaign for the office of Sheriff of Alleghany County and the City of Covington, Clifton Forge and the town of Iron Gate. Moore says he will be running on the independent ticket so that all citizens feel that they will have a voice no matter what their political affiliation is. He is seeking to unseat the incumbent Kevin Hall. Moore was notified on January 3, 2023, that he had met the required number of signatures to be placed on the ballot.
Born March 15, 1970 in Wise County, VA and raised in Dickenson County. The son of the late D. Kyle Moore and Phyllis J. Moore who resides in Clinchco, VA. Moore is a 1988 Graduate of Ervinton High School and joined the U.S. Army in September of that year. Moore married his wife Jackie in 1989 and after traveling around the world serving his country, they currently reside at 410 E. Gordon St. in Covington. They have two adult daughters Leanne Posey and husband Dustin, Larissa Jordan and husband Dominique. Moore also has three granddaughters Remi 8, Rain 6 and Rynn 1.5. They currently attend Good News Fellowship Church. Moore has previously served as a Deacon at Covington Baptist Church as well as a youth Sunday school teacher. Moore is very community minded and has been a member of numerous community groups. President Edgemont APT, Treasurer Covington Quarterback Club, a member of Covington Masonic Lodge, past President of Last Chance Bass Club, current member of the Fishers of Men national tournament fishing trail and founder of the annual Alleghany Highlands Fish for A Cause which has given away over $50,000 over the last 10 years to local citizens who are struggling with illnesses. Moore is also a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Served on the board of directors for the Covington Little League and coached girls sports to include rec-league volleyball and softball from the T-ball level all the way to assistant Varsity Girls softball coach. Also assisted with the initial Back the Blue car show. When he is not working or campaigning, Moore enjoys fishing and spending time with his grandchildren.
Moore has been employed at Loving Funeral Home since his retirement.
Military Biography:
Moore joined the U.S. Army in 1988 as a Military Policeman and attended basic training at Ft. McClellan, AL. Served in active duty for 8 years at Ft. Jackson, SC. as a patrol MP, Germany as a member of the 59th Ordinance Brigade, Ft. Devens, MA a patrol MP and ended his active tour of duty at Arlington Cemetery as a member of the U.S. Army’s first ceremonial MP unit. While on active duty Moore attended Airborne paratrooper training at Ft. Benning GA. and Air Assault training at Ft. Drum NY. In 1996, he entered the U.S. Army Reserves as an Infantryman where he served in various positions and locations including the 80th Division where he was the Division Non-commissioned Officer of the Year in 2003 and competed for the U.S. Army Reserve NCO of the Year in Atlanta GA. Moore also deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2005 as a Military Transition Team Non-commissioned officer in charge. His team trained the Iraqi Army on how to perform Battalion combat operations. Moore received the Bronze Star and the combat infantryman badge during this assignment. Moore retired from the U.S. Army in October 2017 as a Master Sergeant. His service awards include Army service ribbon, Army Achievement medals, Army Commendation medals, Army Good conduct medals, NCO professional development medals, Global War on Terrorism medal, Bronze Star medal and Meritorious Service medal as well as the German Schutzeneur award for marksmanship.
Law enforcement Biography:
In October 1996 Moore was selected to attend the Virginia State Police 95th basic session academy and was assigned to Alleghany County in April 1997 where he has resided with his family since. As a Trooper / Sergeant, Moore was trained as a General Instructor, Defensive Tactics Instructor, ASP instructor, Taser instructor, VCIN/NCIC trained, Basic crash investigation, attended the FBI methamphetamine identification interdiction course, multiple DUI / DUID investigation classes. Received 8 consecutive Mothers Against Drunk Driving awards and was instrumental in the development of the first-ever Virginia State Police drunk driving / distracted driving simulator that was used as a tool to teach students about the dangers of drinking and driving as well as distracted driving. The simulator received the Governor’s award for highway safety. Served on the Division VI tactical team that served numerous high-risk search warrants. Selected to serve as the Western Region of VA Honor Guard coordinator and was a statewide Tactical field force instructor. Moore also served as a Chaplain for the VSP and was selected as a mentor for Troopers wishing to be promoted to the rank of Sergeant. Member of the Virginia State Police Association retired. Selected to be a platoon sergeant at the Charlottesville protests as well as many other high-profile assignments. Moore deployed with the VSP to the eastern coast numerous times to assist fellow Virginians who were affected by hurricanes and tropical storms. Served on the protection team for President George W. Bush at the Bedford World War II memorial dedication. Moore says that some of the greatest times as a Trooper were being out there working with the other agencies and assisting each other in keeping the citizens of Alleghany County and Virginia safe on a daily basis as well as working with all of the Fire and EMS members. Moore says that one of his greatest accomplishments as a Trooper was approaching the Alleghany County Board of Supervisors and working with them to get the bridge at Exit 10 named after fallen State Police Sergeant James Leroy Biggs.
Goals:
Moore stated that he plans to have the Alleghany County Sheriff’s Office accredited by the end of his first term. He also plans to focus on the drug problem that exists in Alleghany County by working with ALL local agencies, which he says is not currently taking place. Moore wants to get local pastors back into the jail to encourage inmates to change their habits and offer counseling services to them. He wants to work with local employers to obtain work release programs for inmates that will eventually lead to employment for them. Moore said that we have to offer something for them to look forward to when they are released from custody, which currently does not exist. He further stated that he would work tirelessly to increase deputy and dispatcher pay. Moore said that currently dispatchers get paid much less than they deserve. That is totally unacceptable for someone who answers the telephone when the person on the other end of the line is going through a traumatic situation and the dispatcher has to attempt to keep them calm as well as dispatch Police, Fire, and EMS. Moore wants to utilize the inmate work crew more to clean up locations that are reported to be public dump sites. This will be considered criminal offenses and criminal charges will be placed if illegal dumping is found to be taking place.
Community:
Moore also wants to reconnect the Sheriff’s office with the community as well as offer incentive programs for Deputies who seek self-improvement. Moore says that he will work with the Alleghany Highlands Public Schools to ensure that students and staff are always safe and able to complete their jobs. Our students are our future and I will do everything humanly possible to keep them safe. Alleghany County deserves a professionally led Sheriff’s office and businesses that wish to relocate to Alleghany County and the City of Covington should not have to worry about their employees’ safety or a safe location to open a business.
Accountability: As Sheriff, I will hold my employees accountable to applicable policies and ensure that those policies are updated regularly. I will hold myself accountable to the citizens who elect me as well as to the employees of the Sheriff’s office. Accountability should go one step further, when I appear before the Board of Supervisors, I will offer evidence as to why I am requesting money or equipment. Statistics will prove the need for what I am asking for.
Integrity: Integrity is being able to make the hard right decision over the easy wrong. Even if it involves a friend or family member. I will demand a high level of integrity from all employees of the Sheriff’s office. How can someone expect to be a police officer if they do not possess integrity.
Availability: I or someone from my staff will be available to the public on a daily basis at the Sheriff’s office during business hours. This has been a major shortcoming with the current administration due to the Sheriff taking on other commitments.
I would like to thank all of the citizens who have shown me tremendous support during this campaign and I look forward to serving all of Alleghany County the City of Covington and the towns of Clifton Forge and Iron Gate as your elected Sheriff. May God bless you all.
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