Community Reacts to Football Game Arrest, City Manager's Insights During Covington Work Session
| By Jennifer Bailey
Staff Writer |
Covington, VA (Oct. 7, 2025)— It was a "busier than usual" work session tonight at the Covington Work Session as four local residents signed up to speak during public comments: Greg Rice, Karen Jordan, Marie Fitzpatrick, and Deloris Quarles. Each of them used their time to express their thoughts on a recent arrest made at an Alleghany Cougar football game back a few weeks ago.
For those unfamiliar with the situation, Covington resident Ricky Jordan was confronted by local authorities, including Sheriff Kyle Matt Moore, on September 19, 2025, at the Cougars' home football game at Casey Field. Both Moore and Jordan shared their stories during a press conference on September 22nd.
According to Jordan, the incident between himself, Moore, and other members of law enforcement began after a student told him [Jordan] he was in a woman's way. Jordan stated, "I turned around and asked her, ducked down and asked her, 'Can you see now?' She said 'no.'" Jordan stated he moved a second time, and asked the woman again if she could see, but she said no. He continued, "So I said 'ok.' I walked away from her and went down to the next landing talking to my son, telling him to get in the game. That's when the sheriff and the deputy —I didn't know he was sheriff at the time— came up to me and say, 'You got to leave' and I say,'Why? What did I do? I haven't done anything.' And then the deputy went to grab my arm, I pulled back like that. I said, 'Explain to me why I got to leave. I haven't done anything.' And the next thing I know, that man —which I later was identified as Sheriff Moore— grabbed me by my throat and almost pushed me over the banister."
According to 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, I spoke with the woman who reported to me that she had asked him to move, at which point he began yelling obscenities and appeared to be intoxicated. I immediately sought the assistance of a nearby deputy who was in uniform and followed Mr. Jordan through an area crowded with students and fans. Mr. Jordan stopped at an exit stairwell where I approached him and I identified myself as Sheriff Kyle Moore of the Alleghany County Sheriff's Office." Moore noted that he spoke with Jordan, then asked him to leave because of his behavior, but that Jordan "...responded with some very profane language, resisted my [Moore's] commands, and physically pulled away from both myself and the assisting deputy." Moore stated that Jordan continued to yell obscenities until he was placed in handcuffs and arrested under Virginia Code 18.2-415, disorderly conduct.
Moore also stated that "...no force beyond hand control used, Mr. Jordan was not taken to the ground, and no less lethal weapons were used such as pepper spray or taser were used. No injuries occurred to either Mr. Jordan or any officers... at no time did I choke Mr. Jordan."
Since the incident, several videos have circulated online, presumably all taken by cell phones from fans in the crowd. While some locals side with Moore, others side with Mr. Jordan. The latter was the case at tonight's Covington Work Session.
Greg Rice brought two photos to the session and passed them to Covington City Manager Allen Dressler, who then passed them down to other members of council. Rice stated, "...The sheriff himself stated that he did not choke Ricky, and if you look at these pictures, you'll see that the sheriff's hand is around Ricky's neck... This matter could have been resolved in a totally different manner." Rice then offered suggestions on how the situation could have been handled.
Karen Jordan, Ricky Jordan's sister, was present to offer her thoughts on the situation. "People were saying he was intoxicated at the game. He was not. He had worked a 13-hour shift, came home, took a shower, and went directly to the game to see his son play."
Marie Fitzpatrick spoke next, encouraging conversation and dialogue. "Let's talk about remaining silent in the face of injustice," Fitzpatrick said. "That is not neutral act. It's a form of complicity that empowers the oppressor and perpetrates harm."
Deloris Quarles stated that her biggest concern was that Moore stated during the press conference that he stood behind his actions. "That, to me, I was not at the game that day, but he [Moore] stands behind his actions and his staff's actions on that particular night. So that means that, to me, that said that was acceptable."
Afterwards, Covington City Manager Allen gave a brief city manager's report which included the recent repair of a sinkhole caused by the tearing of some terracotta pipe. He also noted the completion of the Princeton Drive waterline project, which the Journal discussed with him at the latter part of August. Dressler had noted that new paving would occur following the completion of the water line. We learned this evening that the water line has been fully repaired and that "...instruction has been given to make sure that that road [Princeton Drive] gets paved before winter sets in.
Dressler also noted the recent erections of the wayfinding signs folks may have noticed going up all over the Alleghany Highlands. The signs are part of a joint project being done through the Alleghany Highlands, City of Covington, Town of Clifton Forge, and the Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Tourism.
Additionally, the city manager praised the recent success of the Cougars' homecoming parade, the storefront decorations expressing Cougar pride, and the highly-attended bonfire that occurred after.
Allen Dressler's full remarks are now available on the Alleghany Journal Facebook page.
The next Covington City Council meeting will be on Tuesday, October 14th, at 6:30 p.m. in Covington City Hall.
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Cov. Citizens React To Jordan Arrest
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Cov. City Manager Allen Dressler Updates Council On Issues
|  | Karen Jordan, Ricky Jordan's sister, also offered her remarks on her brother's arrest last month.
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|  | Covington City Manager Allen Dressler gave his manager's comments at Tuesday night's work session. His entire presentation is now available on the Alleghany Journal Facebook page.
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|  | (from left to right) Covington City Manager Allen Dressler, Councilwoman Susan Crowder, Councilman David Goff, Mayor Fred Forbes III, Councilman Raymond Hunter, and Councilwoman Susan Wolfe.
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