Eddyville, KY. — The Kentucky State Police shot and killed a suspect who is responsible for the shooting death of a KSP Trooper.
On Sunday, September 13, 2015 at approximately 10:20 P.M, Trooper Joseph Cameron Ponder conducted a traffic stop on Interstate 24 around the 58 mile marker westbound. After making contact with the driver, the vehicle fled from the stop.
A pursuit ensued with the suspect stopping abruptly around the 49 mile marker, causing the front of Trooper Ponder’s police cruiser to make contact with the rear of the suspect vehicle.
At this time, the driver of the suspect vehicle fired several shots into the police cruiser striking the hood, windshield and Trooper Ponder multiple times. The suspect fled the scene on foot.
Trooper Ponder was taken to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries at 11:41 P.M. CST.
The suspect has been identified as Joseph Thomas Johnson-Shanks, 25, of Missouri.
Around 7:00 A.M, Troopers located Johnson-Shanks in a wooded area in close proximity to Interstate 24. Upon making contact with Johnson-Shanks, Troopers of the Special Response Team (SRT) observed him with a firearm and instructed him to relinquish it. Johnson-Shanks refused verbal commands and aimed the weapon at the Troopers. An SRT Trooper discharged his agency issued weapon striking Johnson-Shanks.
He was transported to the hospital where he died.
Trooper Ponder, 31, was a native of Rineyville, KY. Upon graduation from the KSP Training Academy in January 2015, he was stationed at Post 1, Mayfield and assigned to Trigg County.
