Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, REST IN PEACE

N.J. TROOPER
NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE

September 14, 2015

Rest with God Trooper Ponder. Your ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten. Prayers for your family during this time in their lives.

retired Police Officer Bob Lester
Midland Texas Police Department

September 14, 2015

RIP Brother.Thank you & God Bless.

Lt,Robert M.Petty (retired)
No.Bergen, N.J.P.D.

September 14, 2015

Dear Trooper Joseph Ponder, Thank you so much for your ultimate sacrifice. We mourn with your family as well as your brothers and sisters in Blue. We are here to support and love those left to carry on your honor and story. God has welcomed you into His arms. He will also comfort us in our sorrow and help us to continue your good work. Rest easy my Brother, your tour here is done. We will carry the torch from here. In God's Grace, Lin Polen and the Spouses of LEO Only

Administrator Lin Polen
Spouses of LEO Only

September 14, 2015

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SACRIFICE AND SERVICE. REST IN PEACE MY FRIEND

Ret. TFC Theresa Medcalf
Ga State Patrol

September 14, 2015

Rest in peace Trooper Ponder my sincere condolences to your family and to your department. God speed as you now patrol the streets of gold.

OFC TERRY F. ZECH (RET) VAPD/USN
VETERAN AFFAIRS POLICE DEPARTMENT DETROIT MICHIGAN

September 14, 2015

There are no words.....another brother slain by the hands of a coward. These acts of terror against our men and women whom are dedicated to protect and serve must end. My thoughts and prayers go out to the families of this brave sole. May you rest in peace sir.

Sergeant Andrew Bell
Missouri State Highway Patrol

September 14, 2015

Rest in Peace Officer Ponder.

May God comfort your family, friends, and fellow officers at this difficult time.

God bless and protect the Thin Blue Line that protects us all.

Private Citizen Kathryn Felts
Family Member of Law Enforcement Officers

September 14, 2015

RIP Shipmate. Thank you for your service both at home and abroad.

Deputy S Phillips
OCSO (FL)

September 14, 2015

You will never be forgotten thank you for your service my prayers go out to friends and family.

Civilian Jacob Piper
15 years old

September 14, 2015

Cam I didn't know you well but the times you came down to Tennessee to see Crystal I enjoyed your presence. I pray for the family you left behind and I thank you for your service to our great country and will see you on the high ground friend.

SGT Bryan Loy
Tennessee Army National Guard

September 14, 2015

God speed Troop. Your brothers have your back!

Capt. Craig Patterson (Ret.)
Dawson Springs Police Department

September 14, 2015

Trooper Joseph Cameron Ponder:

Thank you for your service to the citizens of the Commonwealth of Kentucky and to the Kentucky State Police! "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God" Matthew 5:9. Let us now celebrate your life and remember your selfless sacrifice. "Greater love has no one that this, that someone lay down his life for his friends" John 15:13. However, death is not the end; it does not have the final say! And He [Jesus] said to him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise" Luke 23:43. Now, my Brother in Blue, rest easy; we will take it from here. "Well done, good and faithful servant" Matthew 25:11. May the Lord God bless you always!

Police Chaplain Steven R. Closs, IHS
Merrimack NH Police Department

September 14, 2015

I was his dive school instructor in the Navy. I remember how great a young man he was. He will be sorely missed by the Deep Sea community.

NDCS (MDV) Jeremy Duplissey
US Navy Dive School Instructor

September 14, 2015

Thank you for your selfless service to your community and to this great nation. It was an honor to have served in the US Navy's Diving Community with you. It was even more of an honor to have called you a friend. RIP Brother!!

Navy Diver Senior Chief Joshua Cole
US Navy Active Duty

September 14, 2015

While we are deeply saddened by your passing, the Law Enforcement Community was enriched by your professionalism, your service, and your sacrifice. Our thoughts are with your family, department, and friends. May you Rest In Peace.

Zone 5 Academy Session 59
New York State Regional Law Enforcement Training Academy

September 14, 2015

May the family's fond memories help them through this difficult time.

Terry L. Vice
Patrol Officer (1979-1984)
Greeley PD
Colorado

September 14, 2015

Rip brother in blue!

Lieutenant Ray Waters
Pitt County Sheriffs Office Greenville NC

September 14, 2015

Thank you for your time of service.
I salute you and your family.

Randalyn Benson
survivor daughter of Chief James Leonard Speer

September 14, 2015

In Honor of your Sacrifice and for your family and friends, I salute you as a HERO! May God
Give the family and friends the strength and faith to deal with this tragic loss. Words can not express my sorrow!

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell

Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright BMI © 1993 - All Rights Reserved

Investigator David L Bell (Retired)
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

September 14, 2015

Rest in Peace, brother. You have done your duty. May God bless and look over your family.

Major Terry Jett Retired
Montgomery AL PD

September 14, 2015

Rest in Peace.

Officer C. Smith
Baltimore City Police Department

September 14, 2015

Joseph Ponder made the ultimate sacrifice to protect and serve the People. While we may grieve on his passing, we can also be proud of him and his service. Let us never forget what he did for us this day.


I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me from his holy place.

I laid down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustained me.

I shall not be afraid of thousands of evil doers who have opposed me all around.

Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for You have struck all my enemies upon their cheeks; You have broken the will of the ungodly.


Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things; now you will be in charge over much. Enter into the joy of the LORD.

Mr. Paul L. Gray Citizen/Supporter of La
Satellite Beach (Brevard County), FL

September 14, 2015

My thoughts and prayers to the family, friends and co-workers of Trooper Joseph Cameron Ponder. Another Hero taken too soon. May God comfort you and your family as you go and touch the face of God.
Your honorable service and sacrifice and bravery to the citizens of Kentucky will not be forgotten. God Speed and God Bless. Rest in Peace Sir.

Final Salute

VIPS 750 Jeff Claybern
Alexandria, Kentucky Police Department

September 14, 2015

Prayers to the officers family and to the Kentucky Highway Patrol. May officer Ponder rest in peace, job well done.

Father of fallen THP officer Tennessee

September 14, 2015