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Crime Prevention
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Department History Ashland,
Kentucky is a city of 23,622 people. The City sits on the bank of the Ohio
River near the confluence of the Big Sandy River. The Ohio River is the
boundary between Kentucky and Ohio, and the Big Sandy River is the
boundary between Kentucky and West Virginia. Ashland is a part of a larger
area, the Huntington/Ashland Statistical Area, WV-KY-OH, which has a
population of 314,875 and covers 2,607 square miles. The three largest
cities in this region are Huntington, West Virginia, Ashland, Kentucky and
Ironton, Ohio. The Ashland community is comprised of a largely homogeneous
population and is often referred to as a blue-collar town.
Ashland is organized as a home rule community and governed through the
commission/manager form of government. The city manager is the chief
administrative officer for the City. He reports to the board of
commissioners. All department heads report to the city manager. The city
manager is responsible for the day to day operations of the City, but by
statute does not have the authority to hire or fire personnel. That
authority is granted exclusively to the majority of the board of
commissioners.
The Ashland Police Department was organized in the late 1800's with the
first executive officer being a town Marshall who was elected. With the
advent of state laws regulating police service, Ashland formed a
professional police department. The Ashland Police Department has been and
continues to be recognized as a leader in law enforcement throughout
Eastern Kentucky. Today's police department has an authorized strength of
58, with 49 sworn officers. There are three civilian employees serving
administrative support roles and six parapolice assigned to handle tasks
not requiring the services of a sworn officer, e.g., parking enforcement,
information center, records management, and property control.
Each Ashland police officer is required to successfully complete 28 weeks
of state and local mandated training before serving. Each sworn officer is
required to successfully complete 40 hours annual in-service training as
approved by the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council. In return for meeting
and maintaining training requirements, each officer receives $3,100.00
from the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Ashland, Kentucky is recognized as one of the safest places in the country
to live. Violent crime is still front-page news in this community. This
does not mean we are without problems. Drug abuse related crimes are
eroding public confidence in the police department. While our part I
offenses have been on a decline, we continue to experience an unacceptable
number of burglaries and thefts. The Ashland Police Department is a full
service police organization committed to providing help oriented police
services to the Ashland community. Our challenge is to correctly identify
problems, set priorities, and work in harmony with the community to keep
Ashland a safe place to live.
ASHLAND POLICE OFFICERS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY
CONRAD FRANK - Died on June 29, 1910. He was investigating illegal sale of
alcholic beverages and gambling when he was ambushed and shot in the back
by an individual with a shotgun. Suspect arrested and charged with the
murder of Lt. Frank.
CHARLES HATFIELD - Killed on March 31, 1919. Officer Hatfield was
responding to an armed robbery of a hotel. The subject was later arrested
in an adjoining county and returned to Ashland where he was tried and
convicted for murdering Hatfield. Suspect was given the death penalty.
DOC LEOFFLER - Died on July 4, 1921. A male subject who had assaulted his
wife was arrested by Officer Leoffler. The subject broke loose from three
officers. He then shot Leoffler four times in the head from close range,
killing him.
LON CASTLE - Died on May 9, 1925. Officer Castle was pursuing a burglary
suspect in a lumber yard. One shot to the forehead was fired by the
burglar killing Officer Castle.
JAMES LANE - Died October 8, 1937. Robbery suspects used Ashland as a base
of operation while pulling jobs in Ohio. Lane was informed by fellow
officers that the suspects were in town. Off duty, Officer Lane attempted
to make an arrest. Lane returned fire before he died, killing his
assailant.
ALL OF THE OFFICERS MENTIONED ABOVE ARE LISTED ON THE LAW ENFORCEMENT
OFFICERS' MEMORIAL IN WASHINGTON, DC |
