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Incident
Deputy Ashe suffered a fatal heart attack following a high speed pursuit that went through narrow, steep mountain roads in three different counties. The officers were chasing a driver who was a member of a local militia movement that refused to register their vehicles or obtain license plates.
The chase started when a deputy attempted to stop the driver for not having a license plate. Deputy Ashe was found in his patrol car at approximately 12:15 am after breaking off from the chase. The suspect was released from jail in 2002 after serving only five years.
A section of US Highway 441, in Jackson County, was named the Deputy Roy Eugene Ashe Highway in his honor.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Ashe gave the Jackson County Sheriff's Office 17 years.
Thank you for your service to the Sylva community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Ashe.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Jackson County Sheriff's Office has lost 4 officers; 1 of them lost to cardiac events.
Roy is one of 33 officers lost to cardiac events in NC, 5% of the 664 remembered there.
Roy is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Roy is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1995, 1 officer in NC was lost to cardiac events, the 5th heaviest of 29 years on record. The heaviest was 1967, with 2.
In 1995, 18 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 17th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1995, 18 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 18th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Roy was 38. Of the 33 lost to cardiac events in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 38 and 53; the middle age was 46. Roy had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 17 years.
Roy was 38. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. Roy had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Roy was 38. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. Roy had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
April holds 15.2% of these deaths in NC; January holds the most, 15.2%. Thursdays: 18.2%.
April holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Thursdays: 14.5%.
April holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14.5%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 25% of all 4 deaths at Jackson County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 5% of all 664 deaths in NC, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.8% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
His people
Jackson County Sheriff's Office has 4 officers remembered here, Roy among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 37-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Jackson County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
