PCSO Deputy Found Guilty After Moose Lodge Incident
LURAY, Va. — On Friday, two members of law enforcement appeared in Page County General District Court for charges stemming from a March 29 incident at the Moose Lodge.
Page County Sheriff’s Office (PSCO) Deputy Zachary Tiller faced a misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct in a public place, while Luray Police Department (LPD) Sergeant Brandon Henson was charged with obstruction of justice.
The cases were heard October 10, 2025 by the Honorable Robert Downer Jr., with Rockingham County Commonwealth’s Attorney Amanda Strecky serving as prosecutor. At arraignment hearings in late July, Judge Kenneth Alger had recused himself from presiding over either case.
During the bench trial before a nearly-empty courtroom, four witnesses took the stand, each providing their versions of what took place that night at the lodge.
Independent of one another, all gave nearly identical accounts, describing a seemingly sober Tiller arriving at the social hall just after 10 p.m.
The lodge, which includes both a bar and a family-style social hall area, was attended that evening by people of all ages, including children.
After consuming several beers and at least one shot of alcohol, witnesses said Tiller began speaking loudly and using vulgar language.
When a male lodge member attempted to calm him, Tiller excused himself to use the restroom but appeared “angrier than ever” afterward, witnesses said. Tiller then warned the same man that his “days were numbered.”
When Tiller asked the bartender for one more shot, she refused to serve him and advised him not to finish the beer in his hand. Several employees also asked him to leave.
According to the bartender, Tiller handed over his beer, paid his tab, and left a tip—but “that’s when things escalated quickly.”
He was eventually escorted outside, where he continued to verbally assault those trying to diffuse the situation. After much back and forth, Tiller finally got into a vehicle with a designated driver and left around 11:30 p.m.
Although the lodge typically remains open until 12 a.m., employees thought it best to call it a night and lock the doors. The evening’s disturbance seemed to be over.
Within minutes, however, Tiller texted a Moose patron and said he was coming back.
Upon his return, he attempted to re-enter the building by repeatedly trying to open the locked doors, while continuing to shout vulgarities at those behind the glass.
A female Moose member who had been present since the initial altercation called LPD Chief C.S. “Bow” Cook at home for direction. Because the lodge is located just outside town limits, Cook immediately contacted dispatch to request PCSO assistance for a possible breaking and entering.
Cook, who also testified during Friday’s hearing, said he did not send members of his department to the scene. Instead, two Luray Police Department officers who were nearby responded as backup after being alerted through the department’s computer-aided patrol system. Officer Brandon Henson and Patrolman Ryan C. Roach arrived at the scene within minutes.
Roach, who testified that he and Tiller had gone to high school together, said both officers arrived “to just assess the situation” while a member of the PCSO was en route.
Roach testified that he found Tiller sitting in the driver’s seat of his dark-colored Mustang, appearing “high-tempered” and yelling at Moose staff.
Before PCSO deputies arrived, Henson took Tiller home in his police cruiser.
Virginia State Police (VSP) Sergeant Jason Street testified that he received a call from the VSP field office in Culpeper on or about April 1, after Page County Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Armanda Clymer requested that an investigation be initiated.
Street and members of the courtroom stood by as Judge Downer, Strecky, and Tiller’s defense attorney, Joseph R. Pricone, reviewed 17 short surveillance videos recorded by the lodge during the incident. The footage, which lacked audio, was presented via Strecky’s laptop.
Street testified that he had reviewed the same videos while initially handling the complaint, which led him to consult with the prosecution.
As each clip played, Judge Downer furrowed his brow, while Tiller, seated at the defense table, clasped his hands and repeatedly shifted in his seat.
Pricone argued that while March 29 “wasn’t Tiller’s best night,” the Moose Lodge is a private facility rather than a public place, and that Tiller did not intend to cause harm.
Strecky countered that although the lodge is a private establishment, members of the public — including children — were present, and Tiller’s actions and words caused public alarm.
After a thoughtful silence, Judge Downer spoke.
“Some of the most difficult cases courts have to deal with are disorderly conduct,” he said. “However, Mr. Tiller’s actions that night are the quintessential definition of disorderly conduct.”
Tiller, who had pled not guilty, was found guilty and ordered to pay a $100 fine plus $86 in court costs. Henson’s case was dismissed without prejudice.
The judge commended Moose employees and volunteers for showing “laudable restraint” during the entire incident.
When contacted about Tiller’s employment status after the trial, Major Steve Owens confirmed that Tiller remains employed with the Page County Sheriff’s Office.