A late-night disturbance involving a Troy city alderman at a local restaurant is now under investigation by the Missouri State Highway Patrol and is expected to be discussed at Monday night’s Troy Board of Aldermen meeting.

The incident occurred during the early morning hours of February 21 at Denny’s on Merlin Drive in Troy, where police were called after a report of a disturbance inside the restaurant.

According to 911 dispatch records obtained and verified by Lincoln CountyWatch, the caller reporting the incident was Troy Alderman Rachel Dunard, who told police she had been assaulted.

The confrontation appears to have followed an earlier dispute that same night at The Drinking Horn in Moscow Mills.

Documents included in the Troy Board of Aldermen meeting packet state Dunard had been involved in an altercation there involving an off-duty Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper,

and the documents say she was removed from the bar.

However, in an interview with the Lincoln County Journal, Dunard disputed that account and said she left on her own after a verbal disagreement.

Lincoln CountyWatch later spoke with a person who said they were inside Denny’s that night. The individual agreed to describe what they saw but declined to be identified publicly out of concern about possible retaliation.

According to the account provided to Lincoln CountyWatch, Dunard arrived at the restaurant with an off-duty Troy police officer.”

Shortly after entering the restaurant, Dunard walked toward the back of the dining area where a group was seated that included off-duty deputies with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and their spouses.

What happened next unfolded quickly.

According to the account, Dunard called one of the deputies’ spouses a derogatory name. The woman responded by asking if Dunard had just called her that.

Dunard replied:

“I did. What are you going to do about it?”

The exchange quickly escalated into yelling that drew attention from other customers inside the restaurant.

During the confrontation, Dunard then shouted:

“He assaulted me, he ripped my shirt. Someone call 911.”

Another person in the restaurant responded loudly:

“Don’t worry, I’ve already texted them. They’re on their way.”

The disturbance unfolded quickly, with the confrontation happening within roughly five minutes of Dunard walking into the restaurant, according to the account provided to Lincoln CountyWatch.

During the commotion, Dunard also approached another nearby table and made another remark that caught the attention of several people nearby.

According to the account, Dunard said:

“Looks like there can be another fight I can get into tonight.”

Police arrived shortly afterward and separated the people involved.

Dispatch records show officers requested assistance from the Missouri State Highway Patrol due to a potential conflict of interest because off-duty law enforcement personnel were present during the incident. Troy Police Chief Dustin Tienter later confirmed the case has been turned over to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

“Regarding the alderman situation, it is an active and ongoing investigation that is being handled by the Missouri State Highway Patrol for determination moving forward,” Tienter said. “Any questions or comments regarding their investigation can be directed to their office.”

In an interview with the Lincoln County Journal, Dunard said she called 911 because she believed she had been assaulted.

“I’m literally fighting for my life now for my reputation, for my loyalty, for my everything, because I called 9-1-1 because I was physically assaulted,” Dunard told the newspaper.

The Journal also reported Dunard said she was handcuffed and placed in the back of a patrol vehicle for roughly 90 minutes while officers sorted out the situation.

Documents included in the Troy Board of Aldermen meeting packet also describe Dunard as appearing very intoxicated during the incidents that night.

Those documents are tied to a proposed resolution that could come before the Troy Board of Aldermen during Monday night’s meeting, which seeks to formally censure Dunard and request that she issue an apology to the Troy Police Department and the citizens of Troy.

Lincoln CountyWatch reached out to Dunard for comment. She returned the call shortly afterward and provided the following statement:

“I have always served as an alderman willing to stand up for what I believe is right for our town—even when it wasn’t easy and even when it meant standing alone.

This Monday, the powers that be have placed a vote to censure me on the agenda. I believe strongly in transparency and in standing up for the people I represent, and I intend to defend that.

If you believe in open government and having leaders who are willing to ask tough questions, I would greatly appreciate your support at Monday’s meeting. Your presence matters, and it sends a message that the public is paying attention.

Thank you to everyone who has encouraged and supported me along the way. I will continue fighting for what I believe is right for our community.”

Lincoln CountyWatch also reached out to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office for comment regarding the incident.

In a statement provided to Lincoln CountyWatch, the Sheriff’s Office confirmed an Internal Affairs investigation has been opened.

“I am aware of the allegations that have been made regarding the incident. The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office has opened an Internal Affairs investigation to review the circumstances surrounding what occurred.

Based on the information available at this time, several deputies were off duty and had been out earlier in the evening as part of a group that included deputies and the wives of deputies. The group was seated together at a table at Denny’s in Troy in the early morning hours when Alderman Dunard came up to their table and an interaction occurred. Officers from the Troy Police Department responded to the call.

At this time, no deputies are on administrative leave. Because the Internal Affairs investigation remains ongoing, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further on the specific allegations until the review is complete.”

Lincoln CountyWatch has also contacted the Missouri State Highway Patrol regarding the ongoing investigation and is awaiting a response.

Lincoln CountyWatch will be present at Monday night’s Troy Board of Aldermen meeting to cover the discussion and will provide updates as they become available.