The Commonwealth is mourning a murdered Kentucky State Trooper, who was gunned down in the line of duty late Sunday night.
Trooper Joseph Cameron Ponder was shot on I-24 in Lyon county, after a traffic stop and high-speed chase. On Monday there was an escort as Trooper Ponder’s body was taken from the hospital to the funeral home.
Trooper Ponder had only been with Kentucky State Police for nine months. He was a Navy vet, a graduate of North Hardin High School and he will most definitely be missed.
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“Just a fantastic young man. Humble, quiet, unassuming,” said Coach James Webb. As Trooper Ponder’s former football and track and field coach at North Hardin High School, Webb still remembers Ponder more than a decade after his graduation. A former star athlete, turned hero.
“Cameron graduated and went to the Navy. He was a diver,” said Webb.
That’s where he excelled, achieving awards, before graduating from the Kentucky State Police academy in January.
Kentucky State Police said late Sunday night Trooper Ponder pulled over Joseph Johnson-Shanks, 25, of Missouri. Police said he was driving more than 100 miles an hour on I-24 in Lyon County.
Two young children and two women were in the car, when Shanks, who also had a suspended license, took off. Investigators said Trooper Ponder gave chase, and some 8 miles later, Shanks slammed on his brakes causing the two to crash.
“Mr. Johnson-Shanks leaned out the driver side window and fired several rounds into the trooper car, hitting the hood, and the windshield, and Trooper Ponder,” said Trooper Jay Thomas, with Kentucky State Police.
Police said Shanks ran from the scene. He was tracked down in some woods about a mile from the interstate on Monday morning.
“Mr. Shanks had a weapon, drew the weapon at the trooper, refused verbal commands to put down the weapon, and he was shot,” said Trooper Thomas.
His crime, and two lives, were over.
“It’s a tragic day for two families. The State Police family, and Mr. Johnson Shanks family as well,” said Thomas.
Kentucky State Police said Shanks’ 18-year-old niece, Abrea Shanks, was one of the women in the car. She’s charged with hindering prosecution, and is being held in the Caldwell County Jail. Investigators said the other woman in the car cooperated with police, and is not facing charges.
In separate press releases on Monday, Kentucky Congressman Ed Whitfield, Governor Steve Beshear and Senator Mitch McConnell released statements on the shooting death of Kentucky State Trooper Joseph Cameron Ponder.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the loved ones of Kentucky State Police Trooper, Joseph Cameron Ponder. Trooper Ponder was callously murdered while carrying out his duties to serve and protect the citizens of Kentucky. Our Nation must stand united with the men and women of law enforcement who risk their lives every day to ensure that we are able to live in a safe and peaceful society,” said Whitfield.
“Jane and I are deeply saddened by the death of Trooper Ponder. Senseless acts like this are a tragic reminder of the risks that our law enforcement officers face every day, just by putting on their uniform and doing their job. That he was killed in the line of duty makes his death memorable, but we must never forget the most significant part of Trooper Joseph Cameron Ponder’s story – how he lived, his selfless service to others, and his willingness to give his life for that commitment,” – said Beshear.
“Elaine and I were heartbroken to hear of the tragic loss of Kentucky State Police Trooper Joseph Ponder. This is a sad day for the Commonwealth and for our law enforcement community. Please join me in praying for Trooper Ponder’s family, his friends and his fellow officers, said McConnell.
Ponder,31, was killed Sunday during a high speed chase. He is the second trooper from the Mayfield post killed in the line of duty this year.
