Roll of Honor
Incident
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.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-074334AE- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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 Ashby gave the Madisonville Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Madisonville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Ashby.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police John H. Ashby is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In KY, 755 of 983 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.8% of this state's fallen. That is 76.8 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Madisonville Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John H. Ashby's cause is highlighted.
How John H. Ashby Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John H. Ashby is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John H. Ashby was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Madisonville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
