Pontiac Police Department, Michigan
End of Watch: Wednesday, July 3, 1968
Age: 44
Tour of Duty: 24 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Drowned
Date of Incident: July 3, 1968
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
Captain Donny Ashley drowned during a search for two missing children on the Clinton River in Pontiac, Michigan.
He and an Oakland County Sheriff's Office marine deputy were moving down the river when their boat went over a waterfall. The boat tipped over and Captain Ashley, who was known to be a strong swimmer, drowned in the strong turbulence at the base of the waterfall. The Oakland County deputy survived the incident.
Captain Ashley had served with the Pontiac Police Department for 24 years. He was survived by his wife and son.