Sheriff’s Office responds to Malicious Wounding indictments in Ennis injury incident

On Tuesday morning, at 7:48 a.m., the Warren County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) issued a press release authorized by Sheriff Mark Butler acknowledging the previous day’s indictments of two of its officers, one current, one past, on felony malicious wounding charges related to an April 2, 2022 incident. During that attempted arrest 77-year-old Ralph Ennis was injured and hospitalized while being taken into custody by the two, at-the-time, WCSO road officers. Information received indicates that former WCSO Deputy Zachary Fadely was hit with a higher level “malicious wounding” charge carrying a maximum sentence of 20 years, while Tyler Poe’s “unlawful wounding” indictment under the same statute carries a maximum 5-year sentence.

The WCSO Press Release is below in its entirety:

“Today our Sheriff’s Office became aware that an indictment had been obtained by the Special Prosecutor assigned to investigate an incident occurring on April 2, 2022.

“Although I can’t comment on matters of personnel, I can assure the public that this office continues to offer our full cooperation in the ongoing investigation and legal proceedings. The Sheriff’s Office has the confidence in our judicial system to consider all the facts, and come to a just conclusion once all the facts are made known.

“Over the last thirteen months, the Sheriff’s office has and continues to make fundamental improvements to our operations, training, and administration that ensures enduring progress towards building trust within the communities we serve.

“Approved by Sheriff Mark Butler on 05/08/2023”

As previously reported, Ennis died April 15, 2022, 13 days after being sent to Winchester for hospitalization, then released to Hospice care there April 12 for injuries, including a brain bleed, suffered after a low-speed pursuit of Ennis southbound on Route 522/340 North. Ennis was reported by the initial deputy in pursuit, believed to be Poe, for speeding (63 in a 55 zone) and erratic driving as he failed to pull over for 3-3/4 miles on the way toward town before turning into the 7/11 lot at the Crooked Run Shopping Center entrance.

It was later reported by his family and some local friends that Ennis had been battling the onset of dementia for some time prior to April 2022. In fact, WCSO deputies had been involved in locating Mr. Ennis at his Front Royal friend Ralph Waller’s East Main Street Pawn Shop the month prior to the April 2 incident, after being reported missing by his family.

Due to the recusal of the local commonwealth attorneys office, prosecutorial oversight of the investigation and a recommendation regarding prosecution was handed over to a special prosecutor’s office in Prince William County. The Virginia State Police handled the investigation. The state coroner’s office ruled that Ennis died of natural causes. However, there was some controversy over whether those natural causes were exacerbated by the injuries Ennis received 13 days prior to his death. His family has filed a civil suit regarding Mr. Ennis’ death.

Former and current Sheriff’s Office deputies indicted in Ennis case