Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Sometimes it's the small deeds that show how big a man really is.You, Sir, were a very Big man.May you rest in peace and may Our Lord comfort and bless your loved ones.

May 30, 2007

"My Brother"

Although I never met him, I knew him.
He was idealistic and believed he could make a difference.
He was immensely proud of the uniform and the badge and what they represent.
He felt privileged to be of service to his department, his community and to his country.

He was a cop.

Although I never met him, I knew him.
He was friendly, courteous, and polite, yet firm.
He laughed and joked, but was serious when necessary.
He was competent, trained, and professional.

He was a cop.

Although I never met him, I knew him.
He had a strong sense of right and wrong and became
frustrated when true justice became sidetracked.
He felt the sharp criticism that goes with the job, but he
never wavered.
He stood by and for his fellow officers.

He was a cop.

Although I never met him, I knew him.
He longed for his family during the long hours.
He worried about them during his shifts and the lonely
weekends, holidays and midnights when they were apart.
He felt guilty about the lost time, but knew his calling
and prayed they would understand.

He was a cop.

Although I never met him, I knew him.
He was a good son, a loving husband, and a devoted father.
He was dedicated to the profession and cared about the
people he served.
He wanted to do the best job that he could and strived to
be the best he could be.
He was a good citizen and a good neighbor.

He was a cop.

Yes, I did know him.
He was a cop, he was my Brother.

Rest easy Brother Ashley, we have the watch...



”I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.”
---Isaiah 6:8

You answered the call and made the ultimate sacrifice. Rest easy in God's kingdom and watch over us as we continue the battle here on earth!!!

Officer
MPDC

April 8, 2007

Thinking of you this Christmas.

Freda

December 25, 2006

John, I just learned today of your passing...more than two years later. While I had not seen you in a few years, I thought of you often. I am so happy that you ended up doing what you love, becoming an officer of the law. I will always remember you and all the times we shared.

Kira Wynne
Friend

December 21, 2006

Today would have been John's 40th birthday. I still think of him every day.

Freda

October 4, 2006

*I AM PROUD THAT YOU WERE WILLING TO RISK YOUR LIFE FOR A LITTLE GIRL AND HER DOG/ TROYNESHA LUCAS AGE: 11
*THANK YOU AND I AM PROUD OF YOU AND MAY YOU ALWAYS REST IN PEACE/ TAHCHERRYL ROBERTS AGE: 11
*I WANT HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS TO KNOW THAT I THINK SGT JOHN SAMUEL ASHLEY WAS HERO LAKEVON ROBERTS AGE: 9
*THANK GOD FOR OFFICERS THAT GO ABOVE AND BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY (FOR BIG AND SMALL TASKS ALIKE) TYRA LUCAS AGE: 8

PS REST IN PEACE
FRIENDS OF FALLEN OFFICER DION R. NELSON EOW 9/24/05

FRIENDS OF FALLEN OFFICER DION R. NELSON

September 3, 2006

Hey Ash! Just thinking of you today. I still remember OJT in 6D almost 10 years ago. We had a blast. Take care my fellow brother.

Det. Chris Watkins
Owensboro Police Department

August 6, 2006

John,

Not a day goes by that I do not think of you, and not a moment goes by that I do not miss you. You are constantly in my thoughts and prayers. You were a mentor and a best friend and I thank you for always listening to me and encouraging me to always do more. I hope that I have done you proud.
I will never forget you..
Love Always
Melissa

Melissa
U.S Capitol

July 30, 2006

On this second anniversary of your arrival in Heaven, please know that your kindness, dedication and sacrifice have not been forgotten. Rest in peace.

Linda Lamm - LEO wife and sister of
Jay Balchunas EOW 11.05.04

May 30, 2006

We are told children are our measure of the future.The little girl you helped will always remember the kindness you showed her and I am sure will pass the kindness on to others.What we sow will grow and just maybe the world will become as Our Lord intended as we add to the pile of good deeds until they tower over the evil.May you Rest in Peace and may Our Lord comfort your loved ones today and in the future.

May 30, 2006

John, you took me on my first ride-a-long out of the 6th district station and i've wanted to be a cop ever since. Knowing you changed my life for the better.

Christopher Hunt

October 20, 2005

Gone but not forgotten....what else can I say. It's been 15 or so years since I've seen him and still remember him clear as day. He was special person, and it doesn't surprise me that he became a police officer, he was always, always looking out for others. Such a great personality and a strong will. He will be missed.

Former OHS '85 Classmate

September 12, 2005

John was unique. He had a great deal of character and was a man of conviction. He was, and still is, an inspiration to many. He truely lived every day as a lion.

Hope to see you again some day, John. Godspeed.

An old friend and classmate, OHS '85

September 7, 2005

John, I am sorry it has taken over a year to do this. I just figured out that I could leave this on here.

When we first met in the Academy you were going to the streets and I was just starting. I remember we hit it off talking as stumbled into conversation about the fire dept. history we shared. I think we hit it off both being brother firemen.

Serveal months later as we entered the first responder session of the academy, you may remember that there were a few recruits that had two failures and were sweating the responder test. Well it was you and I that taught that class on the sunday prior to the test. I think it was unheard of to open the academy on a sunday, but with your willingness to take your own time to come in to see that class 97-8 would pass that test was a great success. There was only one failure.....It was my cocky self. Go Figure. It was your help that we were able to make that happen.

As years passed we would see each other in court daily. Yes Brother John you were one of the leaders of the 10% culb of the U.S. Capitols working officers.

Those nights you would be pulling over-time working mobile force or DWI details around the 3rd Dist. you had become like a 3D officer dispite the fact you were assigned to the 6th.

It was always a GREAT pleasure to see you and your love for the game.

This past June of 05 I dropped my wife and kids off in Baltimore to visit for two weeks. I had to return to Atlanta for work. When I heard the news of your passing last May 04, I had only been living in the ATL for 2 weeks. I was proud that you made Sergeant and I felt like I had the wind knocked out of me when I heard the news. On the morning I would return to ATL, I went to the wall and rubbed a print of the best officer I EVER EVER EVER worked with. ASH...you are missed but not forgottened.

To the Ashley family. I am truely sorry for your loss and thank you for providing this world with one Finest Officers to ever serve law enforcement.

Your Brother police & fireman, and friend,

Bobby Hay 1380

Ash, See Ya on the Flip side Brother!!

Officer Robert Hay 1380
3rd District M.P.D.C.

August 21, 2005

It was seven years ago when you first came to the 6th district and we were partners. I will always miss your jokes. I will continue to pray for your family and Police family..We miss you dearly. Rest in Peace

officer kim miller
metrpolitan police dept

July 19, 2005

John, I did it! I remember you told me to stop being afraid to be happy. You told me to live and do what makes me happy. Last week I over came a fear that I've had since I was eight years old. I got on a plan an traveled to South Africa. In the airport I thought about calling you and realized again that I couldn't. Now as I sit in Cape Town South Africa I just want to thank you for encouraging me and pushing me to move forward. I love you still.

Erica Allen

June 15, 2005

It's been a year now and I still cannot reconcile in my mind the fact that you've passed. I come to this site frequently and stare at the page and say to myself, "Is it really true????? Can a man who was so invincible be gone?" It's like a sick joke. Your face and voice are as clear to me as if I'd just seen you an hour ago.

I'm still in shock.

Freda

June 1, 2005

Has it really been a year?

We miss you, John. Godspeed.

E. Stewart

June 1, 2005

I am certain your family and friends spent this Memorial Day honoring you and sharing precious stories. I too remember you today Sgt Ashley.

A hero never dies.

SALUTE!

Michigan

May 30, 2005

Just the other week I was at court thinking about how we always seemed to run into each other there, and how noticeable your absence is now.
Rest in peace John, you earned it.

Ofc. J.D. Strassman
MPDC

March 13, 2005

I love you and I miss you dearly.

Erica Allen

March 9, 2005

Dear John,
I can't believe its been 5 months since you left. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of you and miss you. I never realized losing such a great person would hurt so much. I remember all of the phone calls, the teasing, (not being considered "the real police");) the ride-alongs. There was never a dull moment with you. I remember you were always just a phone call away and you always seemed to be occupied doing something. (mainly overtime but you always found the time to visit)

Officer Melissa Allison
U.S.C.P

October 14, 2004

Driving home from school today, one street away from where I live, I saw an MPDC cruiser, several miles away from the DC border. I don't know what it was doing there, on this particular day, but I waved anyhow, taking it as a sign that you are still watching out for me... Thank you, Sgt. Puppy, and even though you tired of birthdays at around 11, as you said on your 37th, I will light your candle in your honor. _Not Fade Away_

October 4, 2004

Sergeant John, as you now know, Jesus Loves you, so do we!
John 3:16
You gave it all for a little girl's pet, and God thinks you are special!

RB Wade (a heart patient)
MPDC Academy Class 71-14
First District 1971-1973

Ret Officer RB Wade
Richmond, Va Police

September 22, 2004

I knew John a long time ago. But I can still remember him calling me on his way home from work just to tell me about his day. His voice always so filled with excitement and laughter. He was truly a man who loved his life. I came across this news simply by accident and though it's been years, the news still brings tears to my eyes.

My heart goes out to John's family, friends, and co-workers. Rest in Peace John. I'll think of you everytime I hear a song by Sarah.

Shannon

August 17, 2004