Sheriff Donald Ash retires after 12 years as sheriff

Published on December 13, 2021

The Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Office is honored to announce Sheriff Donald Ash’s retirement. Sheriff Ash served as the sheriff in Wyandotte county for 12 years and 8 months with a huge heart and his faith. Sheriff Ash truly served our community and has inspired many to be a better individual, team, and community.

About Sheriff Ash

Donald (Don – Donnie) is sixty-eight (68) years old, was raised and has lived in Wyandotte County, Kansas City, Kansas his entire life. He is married to Traci, and they have three sons, two grandsons, two granddaughters, and two very playful German Shepherds in their extended family. Don was elected Sheriff in 2009, was re-elected unopposed in 2013, and re-elected to a third, and historic term in 2017.

Sheriff Ash is a graduate from Washington High School, Class of 1971. He has an Associate of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice from Kansas City Kansas Community College, a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Management of Human Relations and a Master’s Degree in Management and Organizational Leadership, both from Mid-America Nazarene University. Don began his law enforcement career as a Police Cadet for the Kansas City Kansas Police Department in February 1972 and served continuously through December 2006 when he took his pension. During his career Don served in Patrol, the tactical unit, Research & Development/Media Relations Officer, D.A.R.E/G.R.E.A.T. Program Coordinator and Supervisor, Community Policing Unit Commander, and Division Commander for Central, South, and West Patrols. He was and is an active member of the Fraternal Order of Police in both the Police Department and Sheriff’s Office. Don attended the 211th Session of the FBI National Academy Training Program where he obtained a number of post-graduate credit hours.

Sheriff Ash was a member for several years at High Point Baptist Church where he was ordained as a Deacon and served in a number of leadership positions such as youth leader, finance committee chairman, song leader, and chairman of Deacons. Currently, the Ash’s are members at Maywood Community Church where Don continues to serve in various leadership positions such as worship leader, Elder and Adult Sunday School teacher. 

Sheriff Ash has also served as a Board member for various community groups such as The Wyandotte County Sports Association, Veronica’s Voice Ministries, The Shepherd’s Center of Kansas City, Kansas, The Family Conservancy, Kansas City Crime Commission Second Chance Advisory Board, and The Advisory Board of the Wyandotte County YMCAs. He is currently serving on his third 4-year term on the Board of Trustees at Kansas City Kansas Community College. Don has also been a registered football and basketball official over the years with the Kansas State High School Activities Association, and has coached baseball, football, and basketball many years through the WYCO Sports Association. From 1990-2012, he coached basketball and football at Piper Middle School. Sheriff Ash has received numerous letters of recognition and commendations over his 49 years of continuous law enforcement service from the police department and various community groups. He attributes his success to having been fortunate to have good people that developed in him a strong moral, ethical, educational, and professional foundation.

With Sheriff Ash’s historic departure, please welcome our new Sheriff Daniel Soptic. Sheriff-Elect Soptic will be sworn in tonight at 5:00 p.m. at Memorial Hall in Kansas City, KS.