Current News:
	07/27/2010 ARREST-Manufacturing Methamphetamine Ashland Police arrested Joshua Webb of Olive Hill and charged him with Manufacturing Methamphetamine following a routine traffic stop in the 2200 Block of 13th Street just before midnight Monday July 26, 2010. Webb was stopped for speeding and officers found in plain view substances in the manufacturing of methamphetamines. Along with the items, evidence was found that methamphetamines had recently been manufactured in the vehicle. Webb was arrested and charged with speeding and manufacturing methamphetamine, 1st offense. Ashland Police were aided by the Kentucky State Police who responded to investigate and to safely remove the dangerous items from the vehicle.
	07/26/2010 Trafficking in Oxycodone Arreest On Saturday, July 24, 2010, @ 1129pm Ashland Police arrested Lewis A Smith of Charlotte, NC. Mr. Smith was stopped for being a suspected impaired driver. His impairment was confirmed and he was subsequently charged with Operating a Motor Vehicle Under the influence of impaired substances. After arrest officers searched Smith and located 46 Oxycodone pills and $1,651 in cash in his pants pocket. A continuation of the search incident to the arrest led to finding 20 more Oxycodone pills from inside the vehicle he was operating. Smith was taken to the Boyd County Detention Center. The arrest was made by patrol units of the FIeld Operations Division.
	07/12/2010 APD Makes Arrest After Stolen Vehicle Recovery The Ashland Police Department made an arrest following a traffic stop Sunday at 2352 hours. Shawn Hogsten, 37, of Ashland was charged with Felony Receiving Stolen Property. APD Officers Chris Lee and Matt Howard observed a black 2005 Dodge Ram Quad Cab at 13th and Winchester Ave. The license plate on the vehicle did not match the vehicle description. After a check of the VIN number through NCIC, the vehicle came back listed as stolen. The vehicle was reported stolen to the Indiana State Police by a resident of Quincy, Indiana. Hogsten was lodged in the Boyd County Detention Center. The case remains under investigation. Press release prepared by Lieutenant Mark McDowell, Field Operations Watch Commander.
	07/11/2010 Robbery On 07/10/2010 the Ashland Police Department investigated an armed robbery. The victim stated that around 8:47 a.m. he was in the men's restroom located near the concession stand in Central Park. While in the restroom a black male came up behind him, threw him against the wall, put a small, silver handgun to his head and demanded his wallet. The suspect fled the area on foot with the victim's cell phone and wallet. Suspect described as a male, black, over 6 foot, 30 to 40 years of age, wearing a grey t-shirt and blue jean shorts. The suspect is still at large. Anyone with information is requested to contact the Ashland Police Department or Silent Witness: (606) 329-1771. Case is being investigated by Detective Brian Clark. Release completed by Lieutenant William Hensley, Watch Commander, Field Operations Division.
	07/03/2010 Northern Kentucky Fugitive From Justice Arrested Ashland Police executed a warrant on Saturday night (7/3) for the US Marshal's Service on Reginald Sherer, 47, of the 2800 blk of Carter Avenue. The warrant was for Flagrant Non Support and a Probation Violation out of Northern Kentucky. Sherer was lodged in the Boyd County Detention Center without incident. Press Release prepared by Lieutenant Mark McDowell, Field Operations Watch Commander.
	07/03/2010 6 year old air lifted after collision Ashland Police investigated a collision on the Midtown Shopping Center parking lot on Friday evening. A vehicle operated by Stephanie Whitmore, 31, of Ashland was driving on the parking lot when she became distracted by her 6 year old son. The vehicle crashed into a concrete light post stand, the unrestrained child struck the windshield and was hit by a deploying air bag. He was airlifted to Cabell Huntington Hospital by HealthNet. The collision is being investigated by Ofc. Chris Brislin. Press release prepared by Lieutenant Mark McDowell, Field Operations Watch Commander.
	06/19/2010 Bomb Threat Around 12:02 PM the Ashland Wal-Mart, located on River Hill Drive, received an anonymous call. The caller, who is believed to be male, stated his name was Brian and that he had a bomb. He stated that everyone needed to be out of the store in 20 minutes The store was evacuated as a safety precaution. A sweep of the store was done by Wal-Mart management and Ashland Police personnel. No suspicious objects or devices were found. The store remained evacuated until well after the 20 minute timeline at which point the Ashland Police Department and Ashland Fire Department cleared the scene and business was resumed at the store. Release completed by Lieutenant William Hensley, Watch Commander, Field Operations Division.
	06/18/2010 FATAL TRAFFIC CRASH 1230hrs - Ashland Police are investigating a traffic crash that occurred in the 4300 blk of Valley View Drive (KY168). A head on collision resulted in the death of one motorist. A minivan, driven by Don Sargent 51 of Boyd County, was inbound towards Ashland (northbound) crossed over into the outbound lane. An SUV driven by Brandy Roberts, 35 of Catlettsburg, was travelling south (outbound) saw the minivan encroaching her lane. Roberts made an attempt to avoid the collision by leaving the roadway but ended up in a creek on top of a natural gas line. Sargent continued into Roberts lane and eventually left the roadway striking the SUV in the creek. When the two vehicles collided, Roberts vehicle burst into flames. Mr. Sargent was pronounced dead at the scene by Boyd County Coroner Dr. Ralph Beadle. Roberts was taken to Kings Daughters Medical Center by Boyd County EMS. Her daughters 4 and 2 were transported also for observation. It is believed that Mr. Sargent had a medical episode that led to the loss of control. He was tansported to the Kentucky Medical Examiners Office in Frankfort to determine the contributing factors to his death.
	06/07/2010 SPEED LIMIT CHANGING The City of Ashland has been notified by the Kentucky Department of Transportation that the speed limit on Winchester Avenue between 55th Street at the city limits to the 35th Street area around the old Shoney's will become 35 mph beginning June 8, 2010. New signs will be erected to advise motorists. Motorists should pay particular attention to their speed and any instructions along the roadside to this change. Heavy observation will be made by the Ashland Police Department during a transition period for the next few weeks. The speed limit is being lowered from 45 mph to 35 mph.
	05/24/2010 Traffic Safety Checkpoint The Ashland Police Department is partnering with the Kentucky State Police - Ashland Post- conducting a traffic safety checkpoint at the intersection of Blackburn Avenue (Kentucky 168) and Terrace Blvd. May 24 is the kickoff day to the Memorial Day Holiday - Click It or Ticket. The vevent is scheduled from 1000 am to 2 pm.
	05/22/2010 Juvenile Seriously Injured A 15 yoa male juvenile from Ashland was seriously injured while he was riding his bicycle down a hill in Ashland. The juvenile was traveling downhill on Dysard Street at a high rate of speed. He approached the intersection of Woodland Avenue and attempted to avoid a Chevy S10 pickup truck driven by Bonnie Carter of Ashland. According to witnesses the juvenile apparently saw the danger and attempted to "lay the bicycle down" before colliding with the truck. In doing so the juvenile became separated from the bicycle and slid under the pickup truck. An investigation by a department accident reconstruction specialist found that there were no brakes on the bicycle. They had been removed based on the style of the bicycle. No charges will be filed. The juvenile was removed by Boyd County EMS and then flown to Cabell Huntington Hospital. The status of the injury is critical at the time of release. Major Todd Kelley, Field Operations Division Commander
	05/13/2010 UPDATE: Traffic Congestion The Ashland Police Department is advising motorist that the 1300 block of Winchester Avenue is now back open.
	04/24/2010 Ashland Man Arrested After Discharging Firearm Ashland Police responded to a disturbance in the 1600 block of Ferguson Street at 0040 hrs Saturday. Blaine Jones, 33 of Ashland was arrested for Wanton Endangerment First Degree after he discharged a weapon inside the residence. An infant was asleep in another part of the house which resulted in the charge. Alcohol was involved, Jones was lodged in the Boyd County Detention Center. The case is being investigated by Officer Eric Taylor. Release prepared by Lieutenant Mark McDowell, Watch Commander, Field Operations.
	04/06/2010 Theft of Wheels Around approximately 2300 hours, officers received a call of theft/burglary at McGuire's towing. An employee had observed a blue F-150 backed onto the lot with its lights off. There were two male suspects found on the lot loading wheels and tires onto the truck. They had entered a building on the lot and removed wheels from inside. The suspects, Joshua Arnold and Richard Hobb, both from the Portsmouth Ohio area, were arrested and charged with burglary. There were other wheels in their possession from an undetermined location. These suspects may be involved or know of other similar thefts in the tri-state area.
	02/18/2010 DRUG ARREST Feb 18, 2010 3:00pm The Ashland Police Department Criminal Investigations Section, with assistance from APD Field Operations, Kentucky State Police Drug Enforcement Special Investigations (DESI East), and the United States Postal Inspection Service Lexington, KY. arrested Nicolas Hernandez Tapia 45 years of age of Ashland KY on the charge of Trafficking in Marijuana over 5 pounds. The Ashland Police Department was notified by the United States Postal Inspection Service in Lexington, KY that a package had been intercepted that had been sent from Port Isabel Texas, which is located approximately 20 miles from the U.S. Mexico border, that was being sent through the U.S. Postal Service to Tapia at 209 Providence Hill Apartment 201, Ashland, KY. A Federal Search Warrant was issued for the package and it was found to contain 17.8 pounds of marijuana. A controlled delivery was executed and the package was delivered to the recipient at the Providence Hill complex, where the suspect was arrested and charged with Trafficking in Marijuana more than 5 pounds, a class C Felony, and lodged in the Boyd County Detention Center. The seized marijuana has an estimated street value of approximately $20,000.00 This investigation led to a search warrant being issued for the suspects apartment where additional marijuana was discovered along with Drug Paraphernalia. These items were seized along with the suspects vehicle which was used in the commission of the trafficking in marijuana. Press release prepared by Major David Slone, Technical Services Division, Ashland Police Department
	01/28/2010 Money Counterfeiter Arrested A joint investigation conducted by the Ashland Police Department Field Operations Section, Along With The Criminal Investigation Section and the United States Secret Service resulted in the arrest of Matthew Leon Newman for manufacturing counterfeit United States Currency. Officers seized $395 in counterfeit currency along with items used in the illegal production. Further arrests are pending. Submitted by Lt. Darren Wilson, Ashland Police Department, Criminal Investigations Section Commander
	12/14/2007 Online Incident Reporting System The Ashland Police Department has started an online incident reporting system via our website www.ashlandkypd.com. This was designed to give our citizens another option in reporting criminal activity, making it easier for those with busy lifestyles. This will help our officers better serve the citizens of Ashland. It is not intended for reporting an incident that requires immediate police assistance. Please dial 911 for an immediate Police response.The on-line incident report will be checked daily and the reporting party will be contacted within 5 days to determine what type of police action should be taken.

Office of the Chief of Police Robert W. Ratliff At Ashland Police Department, we take pride in providing a high quality of service to you regardless of why or how you have made contact with us. While no agency can guarantee that we will always be able to solve every crime or incident that is reported, we are committed to providing a service that responds professionally and appropriately to your particular needs. We want you to feel satisfied that we have provided the highest quality of service and that we value you as our citizens and take all your concerns seriously. BIO At their regularly scheduled meeting on May 3, 2007, the Ashland Board of City Commissioners named Robert W. Ratliff, serving over 25 years with the Department, as Chief of Police. Chief Ratliff was commissioned as an Ashland Police Officer on January 7, 1982. He was promoted to sergeant on August 8, 1989, to lieutenant on January 23, 1994, to captain on May 21, 2000, and to Assistant Chief on December 23, 2002. Chief Ratliff was appointed as the Acting Chief of Police on April 1, 2006, and served in that capacity until his appointment to the Chief's position. During his career, Chief Ratliff has served in all areas of the Department. He has been a team member, supervisor, watch commander, and commander in the Patrol Division, commander of the Administration Section; detective assigned to the Criminal Investigations Section; and commander of the Auxiliary Services Division. He also served 20 years with the Ashland School Safety Patrol program. Chief Ratliff is a lifelong resident of Ashland. He is a 1977 graduate of Paul G. Blazer High School, graduate of the Department of Criminal Justice Training, and the 174th session of the FBI National Academy. Chief Ratliff also earned his college degree through the Ashland Community and Technical College.