MENU
SEARCHKentucky State Police report a manhunt is underway in Lyon County after a trooper was shot and killed overnight. The fallen trooper is identified as Trooper Cameron Ponder, 31. He died of his injuries at a local hospital.
Trooper Joseph Cameron Ponder (Photo: Kentucky State Police)
The suspect in the fatal shooting of a Kentucky State Police trooper is in custody, said Judge Executive Wade White of Lyon County, Ky.
Joseph Thomas Johnson-Shanks, 25, of Missouri, was wanted after his alleged involvement in a high-speed chase and killing of Trooper Joseph Cameron Ponder, 31.
Joseph Thomas Johnson-Shanks, 25, is suspected in the killing of Trooper Joseph Cameron Ponder. (Photo: Lyon County Judge Executive)
Trooper Ponder was conducting a traffic stop on Johnson-Shanks' vehicle on I-24 around 10:20 p.m. on Sunday.
After talking with the trooper, the Johnson-Shanks then drove away.
A 10-mile chase ended with the suspect stopping abruptly near mile marker 49, causing Ponder's cruiser to run into the rear of the suspect's vehicle, KFVS TV reports.
KSP reports that is when the suspect allegedly fired shots at the police cruiser, striking the hood, windshield and Trooper Ponder multiple times.
The suspect abandoned his vehicle on the median and ran away.
The application period for the Folds of Honor scholarship program is now open through the end of March. Scholarships support students from early education through postsecondary studies, easing the financial burden for families who have given so much in service to others.
Read More →
With GovX verification now integrated directly into the Team Wendy checkout experience, eligible customers can confirm their status in just a few clicks and have the discount applied automatically.
Read More →
5.11 showcased new apparel and footwear products during SHOT Show 2026, including new color options for the A/T Boa Lite Mid Boot and the Founder’s Jacket.
Read More →
5.11 launched a variety of new load-bearing gear, ranging from backpacks to chest packs, designed for training, travel, and everyday readiness, this week during SHOT Show 2026.
Read More →
Streamlight launched the TLR-3X and TLR-3X USB, two new weapon lights, and an assortment of other new lights during SHOT Show 2026.
Read More →
Built on the proven Halen platform, the new EOTech x Fast Metal Halen Ballistic Spectacle System is the only aluminum frame listed on the U.S. Army’s Authorized Protective Eyewear List.
Read More →
Two officers were shot in Gainesville, Florida, by a man who police say was leaving an area where he had killed a man inside a business. The suspect exited his vehicle in what the chief termed an “ambush-style” attack.
Read More →
An Ohio police department has received harassing phone calls and social media messages because it has an officer with the same name as the ICE officer identified in the Minneapolis, Minnesota, officer-involved shooting.
Read More →
What were the top videos published by POLICE in 2025? Many covered tactics and officer safety, while others came from booth visits at IACP in Denver, Colorado. In case you missed these, here are the top 10 videos.
Read More →
A new integration partnership will enable Flock Safety hotlist alerts and license plate recognition (LPR) searches directly in Coreforce’s Real-Time Crime Center (RTCC) and Digital Evidence Management System (DEMS) platform.
Read More →