Justin Ashe for Rensselaer County Sheriff

10/31/2026

I commend the Sheriffs Office for the most recent arrests in Hoosick, however the facts provided raise some questions seeing a Rensselaer County Task force was cited. There is no current Rensselaer County Task Force but I have a plan for one.

Different Departments. One Mission. One County.

One of my priorities as your next Rensselaer County Sheriff will be working toward the creation of a unified Rensselaer County Narcotics Task Force, bringing together law enforcement agencies throughout our county under a coordinated, countywide approach to combating illegal narcotics trafficking.

Drug dealers do not recognize town, village, or city boundaries. Our law enforcement efforts should not be limited by those boundaries either.

My vision is to establish a multi agency task force operating under the direction and prosecutorial leadership of the Rensselaer County District Attorney’s Office, with participating agencies sharing intelligence, personnel, resources, and investigative capabilities.

This initiative would seek participation from:

* Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office
* Troy Police Department
* City of Rensselaer Police Department
* East Greenbush Police Department
* North Greenbush Police Department
* Schodack Police Department
* Hoosick Falls Police Department
* Village of Nassau Police Department
* New York State Police

We would also work to strengthen partnerships with the DEA, FBI, and other federal law enforcement agencies.

The mission would be straightforward:

* Identify and dismantle narcotics trafficking organizations operating throughout Rensselaer County.
* Share intelligence and investigative resources across jurisdictional boundaries.
* Target major drug distributors responsible for bringing dangerous narcotics into our communities.
* Coordinate investigations with the District Attorney’s Office to build strong, prosecutable cases.
* Provide smaller police departments access to investigative resources and support they may not otherwise have.
* Establish a unified strategy that prioritizes proactive enforcement and accountability.

Having spent 20 years in law enforcement, including serving as a detective and DEA Task Force Officer, I have seen firsthand what can be accomplished when agencies work together toward a common goal.

This is not about which department gets the credit. It is about getting results.

Every community in Rensselaer County deserves proactive narcotics enforcement, whether you live in Troy, East Greenbush, North Greenbush, Schodack, Brunswick, Hoosick, or one of our smaller rural communities.

A successful narcotics task force requires cooperation, experienced investigators, strong leadership, and a commitment from every participating agency.

As Sheriff, I will work to build those partnerships, bring law enforcement leaders to the table, and establish a coordinated strategy with the District Attorney’s Office.

We cannot arrest our way out of addiction, but we absolutely can work together to hold those who profit from trafficking dangerous drugs accountable.

It’s time to put cooperation ahead of jurisdictional boundaries and results ahead of recognition.

Leadership Matters.

Justin Ashe

Candidate for Rensselaer County Sheriff 2027

10/29/2026

Just attended a great event for a good friend of mine ( and fellow conservative) Alicia Saunders who is running for Town of Brunswick Clerk.

Get out and vote for her. She is a great person and will continue to do a great job!

10/29/2026

Effective leadership and planning creates great results.

One of my plans as your sheriff is to institute a county wide narcotics and fi****ms task force in conjunction with the Rensselaer County District Attorneys Office.

10/29/2026

Vote the person not the party!

10/28/2026

🚔 PANEL DISCUSSION SPOTLIGHT | Beyond Patrol: Women in Specialized Roles

We are proud to spotlight an incredible panel of women who will share their stories, hard-earned wisdom, and unique experiences serving in specialized roles within law enforcement at the 15th Annual NYWLE Training Conference!

▫️ NYSP Sergeant Kelli Fitch
▫️ NYSP Technical Sergeant Meg Brown
▫️ Buffalo PD Detective Sergeant Joelle Bence
▫️ Buffalo PD K-9 Unit Commander Elizabeth Diaz-Baker
🎤 Moderator: NYSP Trooper Lynnea Crane

From technical operations to investigations and K-9 leadership, this discussion will highlight the diverse opportunities within our profession and offer an opportunity to learn from the women who continue to break barriers, lead, and inspire.

We look forward to bringing everyone together in Niagara Falls! 💙

10/27/2026

You asked and here is my plan!

The men and women working inside the Rensselaer County Jail deserve the same respect, support, and professional leadership as every other member of the Sheriff’s Office.

Our Correction Deputies work in one of the most demanding environments in law enforcement. They should not have to continuously sacrifice their personal lives because of staffing shortages, feel that their seniority is being disregarded, or believe their concerns are falling on deaf ears.

My plan starts on DAY ONE.

1. Meet with Jail Admin and staff and include union Leadership Immediately

On my first day in office, I will sit down with union representatives to identify ongoing concerns, review contractual obligations, and establish an open line of communication. Collective bargaining agreements must be respected, and employees deserve representation that is heard and taken seriously.

2. Address Staffing Shortages and Forced Overtime

Mandatory overtime should be the exception, not the expectation. I will immediately review staffing levels, scheduling practices, vacancies, and recruitment efforts to develop a sustainable staffing plan that reduces forced overtime while maintaining the safety and security of the facility.

Our employees deserve to have a life outside of work.

3. Respect Seniority and Contractual Rights

Seniority matters. Whether it involves assignments, overtime opportunities, scheduling, or other contractual benefits, established agreements and policies must be followed fairly and consistently. Favoritism and selective enforcement of the rules have no place in professional leadership.

4. Build One Sheriff’s Office Not Separate Divisions

The Sheriff’s Office is made up of multiple divisions, but we all serve the same mission.

Correction Deputies, Road Patrol, Investigators, Civil Division personnel, and administrative staff must all feel equally valued. No division should receive preferential treatment at the expense of another.

I will work to eliminate the divide between units and establish a culture built on mutual respect, accountability, and teamwork.

5. Expand Transport Opportunities and Utilize Retired Law Enforcement Officers

I will review opportunities to increase transport assignments available to senior Correction Deputies, recognizing their experience and years of service.

I will also explore hiring qualified retired law enforcement officers for appropriate transport and support assignments, where legally permitted, to help alleviate staffing pressures and allow Correction Deputies to focus on their primary responsibilities.

6. Restore Morale, Accountability, and Trust

Employees should be able to raise concerns without fear of retaliation. Leadership must be accessible, consistent, and willing to listen.

I will establish regular communication with correctional personnel, seek their input on operational improvements, and ensure that decisions are made based on fairness, professionalism, and the needs of the agency.

The bottom line is simple:

You cannot expect to retain experienced employees, recruit qualified new personnel, or operate an effective correctional facility if you fail to take care of the people doing the job every day.

I am not promising that every problem will disappear overnight. I am promising that the problems will be acknowledged, the employees will have a voice, and leadership will be held accountable for finding solutions.

Different Divisions. One Mission.

Leadership Matters.

Justin Ashe
Candidate for Rensselaer County Sheriff

10/26/2026

Rensselaer County Residents — We Want to Hear From You!

If you could change ONE thing about how the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office operates, what would it be?

🚔 More proactive patrols in our communities?

👮 Better recruitment and retention of experienced deputies?

🤝 Stronger relationships between law enforcement and residents?

🔎 More aggressive enforcement targeting drugs and repeat offenders?

🏫 Greater involvement in our schools and youth programs?

Leaders that have vast experience in policing and investigations?

Or is there something else you believe deserves attention?

The Sheriff’s Office belongs to the people of Rensselaer County, and your voices matter.

Real leadership starts with listening. I want to hear what’s important to YOU.

👇 Drop your thoughts in the comments. Let’s have a productive conversation.

Justin Ashe
Candidate for Rensselaer County Sheriff

Leadership. Experience. Proven Results.

10/20/2026

Another great job by the members of Troy Police and another example of cooperation and coordination.

There is a detainer in place to keep this individual locked up

Troy Police Arrest Man on Four Counts of R**e Following Investigation Involving 16-Year-Old Girl

TROY, N.Y. — A 25-year-old man from Guatemala was arrested Monday afternoon by Troy Police Detectives following an investigation into allegations that he engaged in unlawful sexual activity with a 16-year-old girl in the City of Troy.

On October 13, 2026, Troy Police Detectives were contacted by detectives from the Manchester Police Department in Vermont regarding information indicating that an adult male had engaged in sexual activity with a 16-year-old female in Troy.

Detectives from both departments launched a joint investigation, working to determine the circumstances surrounding the reported incidents. During the investigation, police learned that the victim and suspect were familiar with each other. According to police, the victim was legally unable to consent due to her age under the circumstances of the alleged offenses.

Investigators identified the suspect as Kovy B. Carrillo-Flores, 25, of Guatemala.

On October 19, Troy Police Detectives conducting surveillance observed Carrillo-Flores in the area of Fifth Avenue and 116th Street in the Lansingburgh section of the city.

Detectives approached Carrillo-Flores, identified themselves as police officers and attempted to take him into custody. According to police, Carrillo-Flores became combative and began physically fighting with detectives attempting to arrest him.

During the struggle, police said Carrillo-Flores bit one detective, while a second detective sustained an injury to the wrist. Despite the resistance, detectives were able to take Carrillo-Flores into custody.

Carrillo-Flores was transported to Troy Police Central Station, where he was interviewed and processed.

Following the investigation, Carrillo-Flores was charged with four counts of R**e in the Third Degree. He is scheduled to be arraigned in Troy City Court on October 20, 2026.

Troy Police thanked the Manchester Police Department in Vermont for its assistance and cooperation throughout the investigation. Detectives from both agencies worked together to gather information while providing support to the victim and her family.

10/18/2026

What the Olympics Can Teach Us About Politics 🇺🇸

This weekend, I’m in Lake Placid for a hockey tournament at the historic Olympic Center. Being here got me thinking about something much bigger than sports.

The Olympics bring together athletes from all walks of life. Different countries, races, religions, backgrounds, and beliefs. They don’t all speak the same language, share the same values, or see the world the same way.

Yet they come together with a common purpose to compete, represent something bigger than themselves, and respect one another.

They compete fiercely. They want to win. They don’t always agree. But when the competition is over, they can still shake hands and show respect.

So why can’t we do the same in politics?

When did having a different opinion make someone an enemy? When did political affiliation become more important than character, integrity, or doing what’s right?

We don’t have to agree on everything. We shouldn’t be expected to. Different perspectives are what make our country great.

But somewhere along the way, we’ve allowed political differences to divide our communities, friendships, and sometimes even our families.

We can disagree without disrespecting. We can compete without tearing each other down. And we can stand firm in our beliefs while still respecting someone else’s.

Whether you’re a Republican, Democrat, Conservative, Independent, or somewhere in between, we’re all neighbors. We all want safe communities, opportunities for our children, and a better future.

Standing here in Lake Placid, surrounded by Olympic history, it’s a reminder that competition doesn’t have to mean division. At the end of the day, we’re not supposed to be enemies. We’re supposed to be Americans. 🇺🇸 Maybe it’s time we started acting like we’re on the same team.

10/16/2026

Why are they walking away? Another experienced deputy leaving the sheriffs office.

The Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office is losing another experienced member of its ranks, this time a Sergeant is moving to another law enforcement agency.

Every time we lose an experienced deputy or supervisor, we lose valuable knowledge, leadership, and years of experience that cannot simply be replaced overnight.

We cannot continue to lose experienced personnel and expect the Sheriff’s Office to operate at its full potential.

As a candidate for Rensselaer County Sheriff, I have a plan to change that.

My priorities include improving morale, rebuilding trust between leadership and personnel, retaining experienced deputies, and implementing an aggressive recruitment strategy to attract qualified new deputies. We need to create an environment where employees feel respected, supported, and proud to build their careers.

Recruitment is important, but retention is just as critical. We must address the reasons experienced personnel are leaving while working to bring staffing back to full strength.

After 20 years in law enforcement, I understand that a successful Sheriff’s Office starts with strong leadership and the men and women who serve within it.

The residents of Rensselaer County deserve a Sheriff’s Office that is fully staffed, properly trained, proactive, and focused on public safety.

It’s time to stop losing experience, start rebuilding our ranks, and get the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office back on track.

Justin Ashe
Candidate for Rensselaer County Sheriff

Leadership. Experience. Proven Results.