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ODMP Remembers...

Patrolman Earl Charles Osburn Police Department, Idaho

Patrolman

Earl Charles "Chuck" Ashton

Osburn Police Department, Idaho

End of Watch: Tuesday, August 17, 1976

Bio & Incident Details

Age: 23

Tour: 6 months

Badge # Not available

Cause: Gunfire

Incident Date: 8/17/1976

Weapon: Rifle; .30-.30

Suspect: Sentenced to 25 years

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Patrolman Chuck Ashton was shot and killed after stopping th driver of a vehicle for traveling the wrong way on I-90. He requested backup from the Shoshone County Sheriff's Office before approaching the vehicle.

Immediately when he approached the suspect's window, the man pointed a .30-.30 rifle at him and opened fire. The round struck Patrolman Ashton in the neck, just above his vest, as he attempted to push the barrel of the gun away.

The responding deputy located Patrolman Ashton in front of his patrol car. Neighboring agencies were notified and initiated a massive manhunt. The suspect was located the following morning after a vehicle pursuit in Kootenai County.

The man was convicted of Patrolman Ashton's murder and sentenced to death, however, the sentence was overturned by a Supreme Court ruling and he received 25 years in prison.

Patrolman Ashton had served with the agency for 6 months. He is survived by his wife and child.

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Most Recent Reflection

So many years ago, you were taken away from us. I wonder what your life would have been like if you would have lived.
My brother Chuck Ashton, was only a police officer for 6 months before he was shot. He died I believe, because of lack of training. He never even went to POST Academy. He was young and full of life. He loved to hunt, and was very proud to be an officer. I lived in California at the time and remember him telling me he was thinking of moving to Los Angeles to be a cop. I told him that was crazy, he could get killed in LA. That was 3 weeks before he was shot to death in the smallest of towns Osburn ID. I married a California Cop 5 years later. We moved to Idaho in 1993 so he could be Chief of small town, Jerome ID. I never thought I would be married to an Idaho Cop.
My brother its been many years, I hope to see you in Heaven one day.

Debbie Dahl
Sister
February 25, 2011

 

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