The Shadow
COVINGTON, Va. (Virginian Review) — Allegations of excessive force by Alleghany County Sheriff Kyle Moore during a confrontation at a high school football game last Friday night are now fueling calls for his removal from office, even as Moore insists his actions were justified.
The incident unfolded Sept. 19 at the Covington High School stadium, where Richard (Ricky) Jordan was standing in the bleachers cheering when, he says, a deputy sheriff told him to leave following a complaint from another spectator. According to Sheriff Moore, Mr Jordan was engaged in a heated verbal exchange with an elderly woman standing in close proximity to her and raising his voice. After Mr Jordan walked away, Sheriff Moore spoke with the woman, who reported that she had asked him to move, at which point he began yelling and appeared to be intoxicated.
“I think I was improperly detained,” Jordan said in a written statement. “I didn’t know who the sheriff was. The deputy came down and asked me to leave, and the man came with him who I didn’t know. I said, ‘Arrest me for what?’ and then I said, ‘Get this man off me’ when he, the sheriff, grabbed me by my throat. Like I said, I didn’t know who he was.”
Jordan said he was arrested, taken to jail, and given a breath test that he said showed he was within the legal alcohol limit. He was released on his own recognizance and charged with public intoxication and disorderly conduct. His first court appearance was scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Monday in Alleghany General District Court.
“The lady who asked me to move was not involved in the incident,” Jordan added. “This wasn’t about her. It was about how I was handled.”
Sheriff Moore released his own statement on Monday morning defending his conduct and disputing Jordan’s account.
Moore said deputies received a complaint from a woman about Jordan’s behavior in the stands. Moore Stated, “Throughout this encounter, no force beyond hand control was used. Mr Jordan was not taken to the ground and no less lethal weapons such as pepper spray or Taser were used. No injuries occurred to either Mr Jordan or any officers.”
“I intervened after it became clear Mr. Jordan was uncooperative and was causing a disturbance,” Moore said. “My actions were taken to ensure the safety of the public in a crowded environment. At no time did I use unlawful force. The individual was placed under arrest in accordance with Virginia law.” Moore also stated that Mr. Jordan was supposed to have been barred from school events due to his prior behavior the week before at an away game. Jordan did not immediately respond to Moore’s claim regarding a prior ban.
Moore acknowledged that he was in plain clothes but said he identified himself as the sheriff during the encounter. “I made it clear who I was and why Mr. Jordan was being asked to leave,” he said. “Any suggestion otherwise is false.”
The confrontation has already sparked substantial debate on social media. On Saturday, Beth Woodson, a local resident, announced on social media that she intends to file a recall petition against Moore.
“I will be filing a recall petition with the court this week in regards to Sheriff Kyle Moore, and I will be collecting signatures,” Woodson wrote in a Facebook post that was shared more than 60 times in less than 24 hours. “I need 10% of signatures of people that voted in the last election for his office. I hope I can count on some of you for support. This needs to be brought to trial.”
Under Virginia Code, citizens can petition for the removal of elected officials, including sheriffs, for neglect of duty, misuse of office, or incompetence. If at least 10 percent of voters from the previous election sign on, the petition goes to a circuit court judge, who can then decide whether the case merits a trial.
Moore stated, “I will be requesting that the Virginia State Police take a look into the actions on Friday night to determine and confirm that no policies or violations of law were broken. My closing statement to all citizens of Allegheny County, when a law enforcement officer directs someone to leave or advises them they are under arrest, compliance is required. Resisting only escalates the situation unnecessarily.”
Amber Nicely and Ricky Jordan speak to media and audience outside the courthouse in Covington (VR – Christopher Mentz photo)
Alleghany County Sheriff Kyle Matt Moore speaks at news conference following Friday’s incident (VR – Christopher Mentz photo)
