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Incident
Chief Joe Asher was shot and killed by the police department's assistant chief during a dispute over a recent arrest. The assistant chief had arrested a man for being drunk in public and had taken him before the police judge.
The judge had released the man on a $20 bond, but the the chief returned the man to the court and insisted he should have not have been arrested on the charge. Chief Asher and the assistant chief then engaged in a heated argument in front of the judge. The assistant chief pulled out his pistol and shot Chief Asher, killing him.
The assistant chief/shooter was tried twice. The first trial ended with a hung jury; the second with an acquittal.
Chief Asher was survived by his wife.
The assistant chief/shooter was tried twice. The first trial ended with a hung jury; the second with an acquittal.
Survivors
Chief Asher was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Chief of Police Asher served with the Pineville Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Pineville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Asher.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Pineville Police Department has lost 6 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Josiah is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 remembered there.
Josiah is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Josiah is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1924, 1 officer at Pineville Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1924, 11 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 15th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 1924, 225 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1924, 228 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Josiah was 39. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Pineville Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 38 and 39; the middle age was 38.
Josiah was 39. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41.
Josiah was 39. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Josiah was 39. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
April holds 16.7% of these deaths at Pineville Police Department; October holds the most, 33.3%. Tuesdays: 33.3%.
April holds 9.1% of these deaths in KY; December holds the most, 11.5%. Tuesdays: 12.4%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 6 deaths at Pineville Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 66.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 76.8% of all 984 deaths in KY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Pineville Police Department has 6 officers remembered here, Josiah among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Pineville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
