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Incident
Captain Donny Ashley drowned during a search for two missing children on the Clinton River in Pontiac, Michigan. He and an Oakland County Sheriff's Office marine deputy were moving down the river when their boat went over a waterfall. The boat tipped over and Captain Ashley, who was known to be a strong swimmer, drowned in the strong turbulence at the base of the waterfall. The Oakland County deputy survived the incident. Captain Ashley had served with the Pontiac Police Department for 24 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and son.
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
24 years. You could have gone home.
Captain Ashley gave the Pontiac Police Department 24 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Pontiac community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Captain Ashley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Pontiac Police Department has lost 7 officers; 5 of them lost to accidents.
Donny is one of 224 officers lost to accidents in MI, 31.9% of the 703 remembered there.
Donny is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Donny is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1968, 1 officer at Pontiac Police Department was lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 4 years on record. The heaviest was 1937, with 2.
In 1968, 3 officers in MI were lost to accidents, the 16th heaviest of 98 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 8.
In 1968, 100 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 6th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1968, 117 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 5th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Donny was 44. Of the 3 lost to accidents at Pontiac Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 39.5; the middle age was 35. Donny had served 24 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Donny was 44. Of the 212 lost to accidents in MI whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 43; the middle age was 34. Donny had served 24 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Donny was 44. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Donny had served 24 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Donny was 44. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Donny had served 24 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 20% of these deaths at Pontiac Police Department; March holds the most, 40%. Wednesdays: 40%.
July holds 11.2% of these deaths in MI; August holds the most, 14.3%. Wednesdays: 13.4%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
July holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 71.4% of all 7 deaths at Pontiac Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 31.9% of all 703 deaths in MI, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Pontiac Police Department has 7 officers remembered here, Donny among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 4-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Pontiac Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
