VA Deputies Charged After Death Of Man, 77, With Dementia

WARREN COUNTY, VA — A Virginia sheriff's deputy and a former deputy have been indicted on felony charges months after they tackled 77-year-old Ralph Ennis, slammed his head against a truck, and wrestled him to the ground, according to court documents and a report.

Ennis, of Gainesville, died several days after suffering a head injury during the encounter.

A grand jury in Warren County indicted former Warren County Deputy Zachary Fadely, 30, on one count of malicious wounding, the Washington Post reported, and Deputy Tyler Poe, 25, was charged with one count of unlawful wounding.

Fadely surrendered to authorities Tuesday and was scheduled to appear in court Friday for a bond hearing, the Post reported. Poe surrendered Monday and was released pending a future court appearance, the report said.

The case is being handled by the office of Prince William County Commonwealth’s Attorney Amy Ashworth.

• RELATED: Man, 77, Dies After VA Deputies Tackle, Slam Him Into Truck: Report

According to a lawsuit filed in federal court last year by Ennis' family, Ennis, who had dementia, was driving his Ford F-150 pickup on Winchester Road toward Front Royal on April 2, 2022, when a Warren County deputy attempted to pull him over for speeding. According to court documents, Ennis was driving 8 mph over the speed limit when deputies initiated the stop.

During the four-mile pursuit, Ennis slowed down before pulling over and parking at a 7-Eleven in Front Royal, the lawsuit states.

According to the lawsuit, other deputies, including Fadely and Poe, converged on the truck and gave Ennis "conflicting commands" to both exit and stay inside his truck.

"Mr. Ennis stepped out of his vehicle appearing visibly confused and disoriented," the lawsuit states. "Mr. Ennis, who appeared not to hear or was generally confused by the multiple and sometimes conflicting commands, began to slowly walk away from his vehicle."

That's when Poe "rushed" Ennis, grabbing him and slamming his face into the rear of his truck, according to the lawsuit. Fadley then rushed in from the side, tackling Ennis and Poe and causing them to fall to the ground, court documents state.

According to the lawsuit, Ennis can be heard on body camera footage "frantically pleading for help and crying out in extreme pain."

In the footage, a Front Royal police officer says to himself, "That was unjust and unf------ called for," the lawsuit states.

According to court documents, Ennis suffered significant head trauma during the encounter and was later diagnosed with a terminal brain bleed. His family eventually placed him in hospice, where Ennis died 13 days after the incident, according to the lawsuit.

Ennis' family is seeking $6 million in damages, according to court documents. A trial is scheduled for next year.