Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in peace Deputy Sheriff Ashley.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 15, 2022

Rest easy

Mark Mottola

July 17, 2020

Thank you for your service and please know that your sacrifice is one that will never, ever be forgotten by your LE brethren. Rest in peace always.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

July 17, 2020

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

March 29, 2016

I will never forget my friend. Your were such good friend and a great guy was just thinking about you.

Agent R. Skidmore
friend, partner in police academy

May 8, 2013

Deputy Ashley was a great guy and a family man he loved his wife and kids he spoke of them each and everyday in class. Deputy Ashley and I always partnered up during class. He was what you would call my first partner in Law Enforcement. Each and everytime, I look at the Officer Down Memorial Page, I think of him and the good times we spent together. Deputy Ashley you are gone but, not forgotten.

Cpl. A. Brooks
Washington P.D./Attended BLET with Deputy Ashley

January 13, 2011

Your heroism and service is honored today, the eighth anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service to my home state and the birthplace of my son. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace.

I pray for the solace of all those who love and miss you for I know both their pain and pride are forever.

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

July 17, 2010

To start off I would like to say I have never been given the opportunity to meet Richard Edward Ashley Sr. I am recently engaged to his oldest son Richard Edward Ashley Jr. I call him Rick! Even though I've never met his father I still see a side of Rick that only he could have gotten from his father. As some of you may know Rick has a son which he named Richard Edward Ashley III so there is a line of family followers! I love Rick so much that I could only imagine what an inspiration his father was to him! I never had a father & would only wish to have known his! Thanks for any reflections that have been made!!! thank you GOD BLESS!!!

Chelsea Lee Cody

May 17, 2010

You are still not forgotten, even 7 years later. You will never be forgotten. Rest in God's peace, brother.

Officer Josh McCrary
Plumerville Police Dept, Arkansas

July 17, 2009

For some reason, Richard has been on my mind alot lately. I attended BLET with him in 2001 and he was such a nice, caring and just wholesome man. You dont find many people in this world like that anymore. I didnt know you for very long, but you obviously touched my life in a remarkable way. I hope your family is doing well. I know you are in a better place, but that doesnt make us miss you any less. You will always been in the thoughts and prayers of many.

Suzanne C. Creech
BLET Classmate

December 10, 2008

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

December 26, 2007

MY BROTHER, MAY GOD BLESS YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND SACRIFICE. A HERO FOR SURE. MAY YOU REST IN PEACE.

CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RET.
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.

July 17, 2007

Deputy Ashley,
Today marks the fifth anniversary of your EOW. We are thinking of your family and friends as they remember you today and always.

Pennsylvania citizen

July 17, 2007

It's been four years today, July, 17 2006, since I lost my dad. I still miss him so very much. It's seems like just yesterday that i was talking to him, he was on the computer in this very room. That was the last time I talked to him. The next day I took my senior pictures and came home, and sat at his computer when I felt this unbleivable feeling. I didn't know at the time what I was feeling. A few minutes later I found out what that feeling was. I heard what had happened over the scanner. I was 17, he was 35. You never know when God will take you home, so enjoy everyday you have with your family and friends. Thanks for the best 17 years of my life dad!! I'll allways be thinking of you, as you did for me. Thanks for always looking out for me! I LOVE YOU DAD!!
Your Son,
Richard E. Ashley Jr.

Richard E. Ashley Jr.
Son

July 18, 2006

REST IN PEACE BROTHER.

J.CISNEROS
LOS ANGELES SCHOOL POLICE

May 24, 2005

I just found this site tonight, i didn't know it was here. It'll be two years ago this coming up Saturday that I lost my dad. I miss him so much! I'm grateful for all ya'll people that cared for me and my family thoughout the years, thanks a million. I apperciate all that ya'll have done. I miss you dad!! Love you dad!! Richard Edward Ashley Jr.

Richard Edward Ashley Jr.

July 15, 2004

I stop by this website often after the death of two dear friends with the NCSHP (Troopers Calvin Taylor E.O.W. October 3, 2001 and Anthony Cogdill E.O.W. May 30, 2003).

We all grieve over the lives lost in the line of duty. I hope you can find some comfort knowing that there are countless prayers that go out for your family.

These are senseless tragedies that never seem to stop. God Bless the men and women who continue to serve their communities in our great Nation.

...Gone, but never Forgotten....

Marti (EMT-Paramedic)
Haywood Co EMS (NC)

April 5, 2004

Richard is my brother. He has been gone one year today.
He taught me so much,and he always looked out for me.
I miss him terribly. I love you BRO.

michael ray ashley

"The guardian angels of life sometimes fly so high as to be beyond our sight, but they are always looking down upon us."
- Jean Paul Richter

Not forgotten ...
July 17, 2003

Anonymous

This week, we cops in NC pay our reverent respects to our fallen brothers and sisters at the State Peace Officer Memorial Day ceremony, held in Charlotte this year. We will remember this fine man.

I attended Boone PD MAJ Bob Kennedy's funeral in our neighboring Watauga County, he was a friend. Due to the time and distance, I could not make it to this fine officer's funeral, but at Bob's service, we were all paying respects to three brave men, not just one.

I am so very sorry for the loss of a fine young officer, a career cut short. It is not how these men died but how they lived. The star burned only briefly, but it shone a brilliant light.

I pray for his family, friends and colleagues. He now walks a beat in Heaven with St. Michael. Gof Bless and be safe.

Chief JA Millan

Chief JA Millan
NC Public Schools, Avery County Dist SP

I previously left a reflection for Deputy Richard Ashley, but would like him and the family to know that you are still in my thoughts and prayers every single day. There is not a day that goes by that he does not cross my mind and it saddens me deeply that Richard is no longer with us. He was a great Deputy, but most of all, he was a great man who loved his wife and children more than life itself. To his wife Mae, you are very fortunate to have met him at such a young age and had the time together that you did. I know that some people go through their entire lives trying to find someone to love them half as much as Richard loved you and your children. I hope you will find strength in that and always remember that myself as well as his BLET Classmates and the entire law enforcement community are here for you and your family. We share your pain and please know that Richard will never be forgotten. My thoughts and prayers are with you. God Bless.

Officer Suzanne C. Sales
PCMH Police Dept, Greenville, NC

I WAS VERY SADDENED WHEN I LEARNED OF DEPUTY ASHLEY'S DEATH.I MET DEPUTY ASHLEY WHILE ATTENDING THE N.C. HIGHWAY PATROL DRIVING SCHOOL IN JUNE OF 2002. HE REALLY SEEMED LIKE A GREAT PERSON AND I'M SURE HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS WILL AGREE. I KNOW GOD WILL SEE HIS FAMILY THROUGH THIS TIME OF HEARTACHE AND I'M SURE DEPUTY ASHLEY IS LOOKING DOWN ON THEM.

DEPUTY D.R. IRELAND
DAVIE CO. SHERIFF'S OFFICE, N.C.

DEPUTY D.R. IRELAND
DAVIE CO. SHERIFFS OFFICE, N.C

"Ye, though I fly through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, I shall fear no Evil; For I am at 10,000 feet and climbing."

Keep on climbing! Rest In Peace

Darin L. Paul, Special Agent/Pilot
Federal Bureau of Investigation - Detroit Division

Family,friends and co-workers of Deputy Ashley - May God bless each of you as you try to deal with this tragedy. You are all in our hearts,thoughts and prayers. We share your loss and we feel your pain.

Joni Thompson
Charlotte-Mecklenburg / Training Academy

I recently had the opportunity to meet Deputy Ashley. He and I both attended the North Carolina Highway Patrol Driver Training Course from June 18, 2002 through June 21, 2002. During this time Deputy Ashley and myself, along with several others, worked and trained closely together and began to get to know each other. Law Enforcement officers are members of a very large family. Any time one is lost their is a pain that is felt throughout the entire family. This is especially true if you have had the pleasure and privledge to have known and worked with that person as I did, even if only for a short time. Deputy Ashley was a good man, a good deputy, and I'm certain a good husband, and father. Deputy Ashley often talked about his family in that short week that we were together. I know the loss of Deputy Ashley was a great one to his family. I hope that we can remember him for who is was, and through that memory may Deputy Ashley continue to live on in the hearts and minds of his family, friends, and his fellow brothers and sisters in the law enforcement community.

Deputy Sheriff Keith Lewis
Carteret County Sheriff's Office