Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I served with Cameron at SDVT-1 in Pearl Harbor, HI. "Fastest man in Kentucky" he would always say. He would make me laugh so hard. I'll never forget his sense of humor and his strength. He always took care of himself. Broke my heart to hear him die over the radio after he tried to help those people. Miss you Ponder.

Sean McCann
USN

June 18, 2023

Rest in peace Trooper Ponder.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 16, 2022

I recently noticed your memorial, on a drive home from Tennessee to Missouri. I knew I needed to read your story. Just wanted to let you know that you are not forgotten. Although we never met, I could feel inside that you were a great person. It many times seems as though the greatest people are taken from us too soon..
Thank you for your extraordinary service. I know one day we will all meet on the other side! Until then, my condolences to your family, and may you rest in paradise!

MO Firefighter
Orchard Farm Fire Protection District - Saint Charles County, MO

April 3, 2022

Rest in peace Trooper Ponder.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 2, 2022

I see his memorial on the side of the highway, every time I drive to Tennessee to visit my oldest daughter and her family, and wondered what his story was. Now I know. Thank you for this site. I wish it didn't need to be, but it personalizes the name on the sign. RIP.

Randall Ridgley
USAF Retired

October 11, 2021

Rest in peace and thank you for your service

Brenda Thatcher

September 14, 2020

Rest in peace always knowing that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

September 13, 2020

Yesterday there was a traffic stoppage randomly on Hwy 24. My car was parked directly parallel and across from the memorial of Mr. Ponder. I think that it's important that these type of memorials exist on our interstate hwys and state roads. After reading several news articles about this tragedy, I can't help but remember both families with my reflections. Thank you for building this tribute.

Airman Christopher Head Sr.
US Navy Pacific Fleet

June 23, 2020

Cameron was on the track team at North Hardin High School with my son Kevin Watson, my son said Mom he ran as fast as the superhero "FLASH". And he was the coolest and kindest person you could meet. My son was devastated by the lost of his teammate and friend. I as a retired U.S. Navy veteran also was sadden by the loss of one of my Navy family members who choice to defend this United States of America's Constitution and its citizens honorably while in the Navy. And choice to continue doing so as a Kentucky State Trooper. Fair Winds and Following Seas. My yearly CFC and personal charity donations will be to Kentucky State and local law enforcement agencies. Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Ponder for sharing your gift with all who had the pleasure of meeting and knowing Cameron.

Cheryl White
Retired U.S. Navy veteran and mother of Cameron's teammate Kevin

January 4, 2020

A 1st Responder Memorial dedicated to Trooper Cameron Ponder has been completed in Cadiz Kentucky
Hwy 274 across from Trigg Lyon Volunteer Fire Department.

Pictures available

Just s citizen
A friend

October 30, 2019

Posted on Fox 17. September 9th 2019

Kentucky State Police to honor slain Trooper killed in senseless murder

LYON COUNTY, KY.--Kentucky State Police will hold a wreath laying ceremony on Friday in memory of Trooper Joseph Ponder, who was killed by a suspect following a vehicle chase in 2015.

Just nine months into his career, Trooper Ponder was conducting the stop on I-24 near mile marker 49 when suspect Joseph Thomas Johnson-Shanks of Missouri opened fire into Ponder's cruiser, striking the trooper multiple times.

Johnson-Shanks then fled the scene on foot and was hiding in the woods when the Special Response Team found him. KSP at the time stated Johnson-Shanks refused to drop his weapon and was killed by the officers.

KSP said Trooper Ponder had originally stopped Johnson-Shanks for driving on a suspended license and did not intend on arresting the man and was even arranging for a hotel for Johnson-Shanks and his passengers. However, Johnson-Shanks fled in the vehicle, leading to the chase and shooting.

On Friday at 4 p.m., KSP will lay a wreath in memory of Trooper Ponder at the flag pole on I-24 West near mile marker 49 where Ponder was shot.

I-24 in Lyon County between the Caldwell County line and KY Route 293 has been designated as Trooper Joseph Cameron Ponder Memorial Highway.

Retired Police Officer
NYPD

September 9, 2019

John 5:28, 29 - "Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out". I pray that everyone can find peace in knowing that we will see this officer as well as many others again in Paradise soon. Until then, please accept my condolences.

A.W. Montgomery
Concerned Citizen

September 6, 2018

im sending prayers for you to rest in peace, your service was extraordinary thank you for being you

karen hubbs

Support Services Division
Knox Co Sheriff's Office

June 11, 2018

Thoughts and Prayers with the Ponder Family. Never forgotten. Love from your fellow LEU member.

Senior Officer Allie Malzahn
Raleigh Police Department

May 13, 2018

God bless you brother and your family and your law enforcement family.

Judge /retired SC Trooper Danny Lynn
Aiken County, SC

September 13, 2017

My thoughts and prayers on this anniversary of his passing. As the mother of a son killed in line of duty, my heart goes out to you. Without God this journey would have been impossible, we do not always understand . Keep the faith in God and one day we will see through Gods eyes . Peace be with you. Margaret Durman.

Margaret A. Durman
Lexington Police Dept and COPS

September 13, 2017

I went through pre-dive in Illinois and dive school in Florida with Ponder. he was a strong diver, reliable and everyone enjoyed his company. I remember a specific situation where we "owed" something like a thousand 8-counts but were given opportunities to lower the number. Ponder made a bet with one of the instructors that he could outrun him in a 50 meter dash. None of us knew that he had that wing tatoo on his leg for a reason. He had apparently been some kind of state sprinting champion or something along those lines. Anyways, Ponder smoked the instructor. I am sorry for the loss.

Adam Coe
ND brother

February 23, 2017

Thank You Trooper Ponder for protecting this great state of Kentucky. I am a Lyon Co. resident and will always honor you and your fellow troopers for your commitment. Your sacrifice will forever be in my heart. I pray for you and your family.

Rest in Peace Brother

Lieutenant Timothy J. Hawkins
Kentucky Department of Corrections (KSP)

December 30, 2016

I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DID FOR THE COUNTRY AND KY STATE POLICE. I KNOW YOU ARE STILL WATCHING OVER US ALL FROM THOSE STREETS OF GOLD. MAY THE LORD BE WITH ALL OF YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS AND CO-WORKERS!!

DISPATCHER GRETA M HUFF
KSP POST 13 HAZARD

September 18, 2016

Rest easy Trooper. America has lost a son.

Captain "Irish Mike" McAllister
Washington State Firefighter

September 14, 2016

On behalf of my family I would like to extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to Kentucky State Police Trooper Ponder's family, fiancee, fellow law enforcement officers, friends and loved ones.

We have the utmost respect and gratitude for his dedication, valor and service of our country in the U.S. Navy. We are forever appreciative of State Trooper Ponder's bravery, strength, decorum and ultimate sacrifice while serving the Commonwealth of Kentucky and its citizens.

We will honor his memory forever. Peace & prayers to all.

Wendy Johnson
Kentucky Dept. of Corrections & Civilian Supporter
Wife of (former) Police Officer & Deputy Sheriff

July 8, 2016

On behalf of my family, I extend our sincerest condolences on the grievous loss you suffered when Cameron was killed.

To the Ponder family, fellow troopers, and all who call Cameron beloved, my heart goes out to all of you and may you find comfort in your loved ones and your strength in your faith. When my son was killed, the entire law enforcement community in our area embraced us in a circle of love and support, and I know you will receive the same support. It makes the unbearable less torturous, and I pray for your solace.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the dedicated service Trooper Ponder gave to his community and the citizens of Kentucky and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on September 13, 2015.

Phyllis Loya
mom of fallen Pittsburg (CA) Officer Larry Lasater, eow 4/24/05

June 25, 2016

Thank you for your service. Rest easy Sir.

Dispatch Anonymous Anonymous
Barren Metcalfe 911

June 16, 2016

Thank you for your dedicated service. Thoughts are with your family, friends and colleagues.

G. Birkholz
mother of Officer Craig Birkholz, E.O.W. 3/20/11

April 10, 2016

To the family, friends, and colleagues of Trooper Ponder, please accept my deepest condolences. Romans 13:1 reads "let every person be in subjection to the superior authorities, for there is no authority except by God, the existing authorities stand placed in their relative positions by God." Many in the world today have no respect for authority. Revelation 21:3,4 reads "he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away." Prayers for all who knew Trooper ponder. I hope Jehovah God words bring comfort in knowing that soon he will reverse the affects of mourning and death.

ECS II Lem Toatley
Orlando Police Department

December 13, 2015