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Ashley Marie Slama

Age : 23

Gender : Female

Race : White

Date : 07/03/2021

Location : 12470 County Road T

City : Baraboo

County : Sauk

State : Wisconsin

Agency : Sauk County Sheriff's Office

Officer(s) :Deputy Matthew Tate

Cause of Death : Vehicle

Event : Killed in crash after vehicle fled from law enforcement

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

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REASON FOR POLICE CHASE:
Equipment violations during a traffic stop. Sauk County Sheriff's Deputy Matthew Tate stopped a vehicle driven by Devan Michael Potter after observing a loud exhaust and a taillight violation. Potter initially stopped, but as Tate approached the vehicle, Potter drove away. Tate activated his emergency equipment and attempted to follow but discontinued the pursuit. Potter subsequently crashed on County Road T.
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OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY:
On 07/03/2021, 23-year-old Ashley Marie Slama of Portage was killed while riding as a passenger in a vehicle driven by Devan Michael Potter after a traffic stop by Sauk County Sheriff's Deputy Matthew Tate. Ashley had no role in the equipment violations that prompted Tate to stop the vehicle and was not the driver.
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Ashley had spent the evening with Potter and fellow passenger Ryen Swiatly. The three left Bobbers Island Grill at approximately 2:00 a.m. and traveled in Potter's vehicle.
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Deputy Matthew Tate stopped the vehicle for a loud exhaust and a taillight violation. Potter initially pulled over. As Tate approached the vehicle on foot, Potter drove away.
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Tate returned to his squad vehicle and attempted to follow Potter. The police pursuit was discontinued, and Potter continued driving after Tate stopped pursuing.
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Approximately 10 minutes later, Tate notified other law-enforcement personnel that he had located the vehicle overturned in a ditch near 12470 County Road T, approximately one mile east of Gillem Road.
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Ashley suffered fatal injuries in the crash. Swiatly survived. Potter also survived and was subsequently prosecuted in connection with Ashley's death.
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Ashley was born on 07/13/1997 and grew up in Portage. She graduated from the Portage Academy of Achievement in 2015. Her family remembered her as fearless, intensely loving, free-spirited and unmistakably herself. She was especially devoted to animals and, according to her family, would have filled an entire house with them if she could.
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Ashley had struggled with alcohol addiction and had fought to obtain treatment, ultimately completing both inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation. She continued working on her sobriety and had talked about eventually helping other people facing addiction. After her death, her family planned to use memorial contributions remaining after funeral expenses to help others struggling with addiction, turning Ashley's own experience into part of her legacy.
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Her family described Ashley as creative, curious and fiercely affectionate. She was particularly recognizable for her long Bohemian-style hair and had been an animal lover since childhood. Her mother remembered Ashley not simply as her daughter but as her best friend.
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Ashley was also deeply attached to a boy named Cayden whom she loved as though he were her own son. Her family said Ashley was unable to have children herself but loved Cayden intensely and considered him an important part of her life.
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Ashley died only 10 days before what would have been her 24th birthday. Her family held her celebration of life on 07/13/2021—Ashley’s birthday—at Devil's Lake State Park.
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Potter was charged in Sauk County with fleeing an officer resulting in death, homicide by negligent operation of a vehicle, operating without a valid driver's license, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.
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OFFICER BACKGROUND:
Matthew J. Tate was the Sauk County Sheriff's Office deputy who stopped Potter and became involved in the pursuit preceding Ashley's fatal crash.
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Tate had previously worked for the Minocqua Police Department. He joined that department in 2013 and eventually became a detective sergeant and K-9 handler. In July 2020, Tate left Minocqua to become a patrol deputy with the Sauk County Sheriff's Office, bringing his K-9 partner Jennings with him. Minocqua Police Chief David Jaeger publicly described Tate as a strong supervisor when announcing his departure.
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Tate subsequently advanced within the Sauk County Sheriff's Office and became a patrol sergeant. His law-enforcement roles have included detective sergeant, field training officer, emergency-vehicle-operation instructor, vehicle-contacts instructor and K-9 handler.
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Tate remained employed by Sauk County years after Ashley's death. County payroll records identify Matthew J. Tate as a patrol sergeant in both 2024 and 2025.
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In 2026, Tate became a Republican candidate for Sauk County sheriff. Official Sauk County election paperwork lists Matthew Tate as a candidate for the office, and his campaign identifies him as a current Sauk County patrol sergeant.
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DISPOSITION:
Devan Michael Potter was criminally charged in connection with Ashley Slama's death, including fleeing an officer resulting in death and homicide by negligent operation of a vehicle. Deputy Matthew Tate was not criminally charged for his role in initiating the traffic stop and pursuit.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://kenoshanews.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/pardeeville-man-charged-in-crash-while-fleeing-police-that-killed-passenger/article_d450d2d5-748f-5cb5-9816-597790fd0497.html
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/wiscnews/name/ashley-slama-obituary?id=12691044
https://www.pmmfh.com/obits2021/aa-obit-SlamaAshley.html
https://www.wxpr.org/government/2020-07-08/minocqua-pd-is-losing-veteran-officer-k9-unit
https://tateforsheriff.com/get-to-know-matthew-tate
https://www.co.sauk.wi.us/sites/default/files/fileattachments/county_clerk/page/119667/2027-2031electedofficialscandidatepaperwork.pdf