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Incident
Deputy Marshal Ren Ashby was shot and killed by the son of a man who had just been arrested by the town marshal.
The marshal had arrested the man on an outstanding charge of violating the peace. After turning the man over to the sheriff, the marshal and Deputy Marshal Ashby met on the street and began talking. The man's 27-year-old son suddenly appeared with a shotgun and without warning fired at both men.
Deputy Ashby was killed while the marshal was struck in the face and back and severely wounded. A former town marshal arrested the man and took him to the jail in Dixon where he was charged with murder.
The suspect was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 8 years. On December 24, 1902, he was pardoned by Governor J. C. W. Beckham.
When the boys father who was accused of telling his son to shoot the marshals was released from jail, he was told to leave Slaughtersville and never return. On June 17, 1899, he did go back and was found the next morning dead from a shotgun blast in the face. The former town marshal who arrested his son was charged with his murder. He was acquitted.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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128 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Marshal Ashby served with the Slaughtersville Marshal's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Slaughters community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Ren is the only officer of Slaughtersville Marshal's Office remembered here.
Ren is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 remembered there.
Ren is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Ren 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 1898, 6 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 39th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 1898, 89 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1898, 91 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 73rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
When
December holds 11.5% of these deaths in KY, more than any other month. Thursdays: 13%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Slaughtersville Marshal's Office. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 76.8% of all 984 deaths in KY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 8.2% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
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