Thousands gathered in Elizabethtown to honor a Kentucky State Police trooper who was fatally shot during a pursuit of a suspect who fled a traffic stop last Sunday.
It was standing room only inside the Severns Valley Baptist Church where Trooper Joseph Cameron Ponder was laid to rest Friday, according to WLKY-TV.
"Law enforcement is a thankless job and it's not an easy one," Sgt. Michael Webb told the news station. "It's one where you put up with a lot of flack; a lot of arm chair quarterbacking if you will."
Law enforcement members from around the state and across the country attended the funeral, standing alongside the Kentucky State Police.
"Does it bring him back? Does it close that hole in our hearts? Absolutely not, but it certainly makes things a bit easier," Webb said.
During the funeral, Ponder's step-dad talked about his love for his family and friends and the trooper's young niece recited an Irish blessing and representatives from state police and the military shared stories of veteran's work ethic and kindness.
Ponder was buried with full military honors.
The incident began on Sept. 13 after the 31-year-old trooper pulled over 25-year-old Joseph Thomas Johnson-Shanks of Missouri on Interstate 24 around 10:20 p.m. and discovered that he was driving on a suspended license
Ponder attempted to make arrangements for the driver and his four passengers, including two children, to stay at a nearby hotel until they could be picked up by relatives the following day. Instead of accepting the trooper's held, officials said that Johnson-Shanks sped off, then abruptly stopped, causing Ponder's cruiser to rear-end his vehicle.
"At that point, the suspect leaned out of the driver-side window and fired multiple rounds at the trooper car, striking the hood, the windshield and striking our trooper," Kentucky State Police Trooper Jay Thomas told reporters after the incident.
Ponder was transported to a hospital in Princeton where he was pronounced dead. Authorities tracked down Johnson-Shanks Monday morning in a wooded area close to Interstate 24 and fatally shot him after he refused to put down his firearm.
The suspect's niece, Ambrea Shanks -- who was in the car at the time of the traffic stop -- was charged with hindering the apprehension of a suspect.
Ponder had graduated from the Kentucky State Police training academy in January.
