Grant from NY group provides KSP with tourniquets in memory of fallen trooper

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ) — Kentucky State Police troopers and officers will now be equipped with a simple, proven device designed to help save lives.

The Spirit of Blue Foundation’s “Trooper Cameron Ponder Memorial” grant provides $83,970 to the Kentucky State Police Foundation for the purchase of tourniquets and duty-belt cases for all of the agency’s troopers and officers. The grant is named after KSP Trooper Cameron Ponder, who was killed in the line of duty on Sept. 13, 2015.

KSP says tourniquets are vital pieces of medical equipment that law enforcement officers can use in the event of a traumatic injury to an extremity. When only precious minutes exist to treat such an injury, tourniquets are able to be applied individually or on a fellow officer to prevent excessive blood loss until that individual can be placed into medical care.

As a secondary benefit, officers who carry a tourniquet are also able to use it to treat a member of the community who may have experienced a similar type of injury.