NEWS RELEASE
MAYFIELD, Ky. (May 13, 2022) – Kentucky State Police Post 1 will be conducting memorial services and placing wreaths in honor of fallen troopers during National Police Memorial Week.
On Monday May 16 at 4:00pm CT, a wreath will be laid at Post 1, 8366 US Highway 45 N, Hickory, KY in honor of Trooper Eric Chrisman and Trooper Cameron Ponder. Trooper Eric K. Chrisman, age 23, was fatally injured on June 23, 2015 in a vehicle collision while en route to a reckless driving complaint on US 62 in Livingston County. Upon receiving his commission as a Trooper, he was assigned to Post 1, Mayfield, where his death came only six months into his career. Trooper Joseph ‘Cameron’ Ponder, age 31, was fatally shot on September 13, 2015 while conducting a routine traffic stop on Interstate 24 in Lyon County. Upon receiving his commission as a Trooper, he was assigned to Post 1, Mayfield, where his death came only nine months into his career.
On Tuesday May 17 at 10:00am CT, a wreath will be laid at the gravesite of Trooper James McNeely in the Mayfield Memory Gardens at 2895 State Route 45 S, Mayfield, KY. Trooper James W. McNeely, age 37, drowned April 8, 1972 while on a flood rescue mission in Franklin County. His death came one day after his sixteenth anniversary of joining the Kentucky State Police. Trooper McNeely and KSP Water Patrol Officer David C. Childs died when the boat in which they were riding was swept over the dam at Lock 4 in Frankfort. Trooper McNeely’s body was never found. The two canoeists for whom the officers were searching were later found safe. Trooper McNeely was assigned to Post 12 Frankfort. Trooper McNeely was survived by his wife and three children. His memorial is in Wingo, Ky. In honor of his service and sacrifice, a five-mile stretch of KY 339 in Graves County has been designated the “Trooper James W. McNeely Memorial Highway”.
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