Jan. 14, 1955 — Oct. 15, 2025

Former Ashland Police Department Lt. Hector Meletich passed away on Oct. 15, according to a post on the Ashland Police Department Facebook page.

Meletich, who retired in 2022, was with the city’s police department for 13 years.

Before his time with the Ashland Police Department, Meletich was a police officer in Hollywood, Florida for 16 years. During his time in Florida, Meletich was a narcotics and money laundering detective and a homeless intervention. He was also a sergeant with the hostage negotiation and SWAT teams, along with underwater search and recovery. Additionally, Meletich served as a field training officer and patrol sergeant.

A veteran, Meletich spent 24 years in the U.S. Army and Marines. He earned a master’s degree in history from Florida International University and graduated from North Carolina State University’s administrative officers management program.

Meletich served on the Board of Directors for the Ashland Family YMCA and was a member of the SO Health-E steering committee.

Meletich is survived by his wife, Brooke, and two daughters.

The Ashland Police Department posted on its Facebook page that Meletich, “wore the badge with honor and brought professionalism and compassion to all he encountered.”  

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