Madisonville Police Department, Kentucky
End of Watch: Sunday, November 24, 1929
Age: 61
Tour of Duty: 3 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: November 24, 1929
Weapon Used: Handgun
Suspect Info: Executed in 1932
Chief Ashby was shot and killed while attempting to arrest two brothers who had attempted to rob a group of children on South Scott Street. As he approached the men one of the produced a pistol. Despite having the pistol pointed at him, Chief Ashby did not draw his weapon and proceeded to subdue one of the brothers. As he handcuffed the man the other brother shot him in the back, killing him.
Both brothers fled the scene. One of them was shot and killed by a posse. The other was apprehended a short time later. He was convicted of Chief Ashby's murder and executed in the electric chair on April 29, 1932.
Chief Ashby had served with the Madisonville Police Department for 3 years. He had previously served with the Earlington Police Department. He was survived by his wife.