Killed trooper’s dad wants more safety

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ) – It’s been a little more than a week since a state trooper was gunned down in his cruiser in Lyon County. Now that trooper’s dad wants to know if more can be done to keep law enforcement safe out on the road.

Trooper Cameron Ponder was shot in his cruiser after a traffic stop turned into chase and the man he was following opened fire, according to state police.

His dad, Joe Ponder, wants state lawmakers to retrofit patrol cars will bullet-resistant glass.

“A bulletproof windshield would have saved my son’s life,” said Ponder.

“If we can move forward and protect our officers in the field in the future then the life that was given in the line of duty will not have been done so in vain,” said Democratic House Speaker Greg Stumbo.

Speaker Stumbo asked State Police for advice and options on what more could be done to keep troopers safe. They are looking into a protective laminate to put on the windshields of the existing cruisers to increase the safety.

He hopes to present a bill when the General Assembly reconvenes in January.