Roll of Honor
Incident
Merchant Patrolman William Ashby was shot and killed when he interrupted a robbery of a garage on Broad Street at about 3:00 am.
A subject was in the process of robbing an employee of the garage when Patrolman Ashby entered the business and was shot. The victim of the robbery initially wouldn't cooperate with the investigation because he was fearful of retaliation. About six months later he identified the suspect, who had been arrested in Phoenix for other robberies. The man was sentenced to 15 to 25 years in prison for the Phoenix robberies but it is not known if he was tried for Patrolman Ashby's murder.
Patrolman Ashby was a widower.
“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." Matthew 5:9
Chris Di Gerolamo Federal Air Marshal Service December 17th, 2021
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- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Merchant Patrolman Ashby served with the Globe Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Globe community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Merchant Patrolman Ashby.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Merchant Patrolman William Sterling Ashby is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In AZ, 204 of 330 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.8% of this state's fallen. That is 7.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Sterling Ashby's cause is highlighted.
How William Sterling Ashby Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Sterling Ashby is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Sterling Ashby was killed by handgun.