Joseph Cameron Ponder was trying to help the man who shot him dead

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Joseph Cameron Ponder, 31, was fatally shot after traffic stop late Sunday
He pulled over Joseph Thomas Johnson-Shanks, 25, along Interstate 24
Johnson-Shanks was driving on a suspended license but had women and children in the car, so Ponder began organizing a hotel for them to stay
The driver fled and Ponder chased him for nine miles
When Johnson-Shanks stopped he shot Ponder to death
Then fled on foot and was eventually shot by police in a standoff

Published: 12:28 EST, 15 September 2015 | Updated: 15:31 EST, 15 September 2015

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The Kentucky trooper who was shot dead during a traffic stop on Sunday night was trying to help the man that killed him rather than make an arrest, police say.

Joseph Cameron Ponder, 31, was fatally shot after pulling over Joseph Thomas Johnson-Shanks, 25, along Interstate 24 in Kentucky.

Police said Tuesday that Johnson-Shanks was driving on a suspended license, and that there were two women in the car - aged 18 and 22 - who also did not have licenses, along with two children.

Because it was getting late, Ponder began organizing a hotel room for the people in the car, rather than take Johnson-Shanks into custody, Kentucky State Police spokesman Jay Thomas said in a news conference today.

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Tragic: Joseph Cameron Ponder, 31 (left), was trying help Joseph Thomas Johnson-Shanks, 25 (right), when he was fatally shot along Interstate 24 in Kentucky on Sunday night

However Johnson-Shanks fled the scene 'for an unknown reason' and lead Ponder on a high-speed chase for nine miles, NBC News reported.

Then Johnson-Shanks slammed on his brakes and came to a stop.

When Ponder positioned his car against the car of the suspect, Johnson-Shanks leaned out of the driver's window and fired several rounds into the trooper's car.

Ponder was transported to a hospital in Princeton, Kentucky, but died from his injuries.

Johnson-Shanks fled the scene on foot, sparking an hours-long manhunt that lasted all night.

He was finally located about 7 a.m. in a forest near the interstate where, police say, he raised his weapon.

After refusing to surrender, he was shot dead.

The car Trooper Joseph Ponder was driving (pictured) was left riddled with bullet holes through its hood and windscreen

One of the women, an 18-year-old niece of Johnson-Shanks, Ambrea Shanks, was arrested and charged with hindering prosecution, however police have not disclosed what the charge relates to.

The other female passenger, who has not been idenitifed, has been cooperating with police and gave statements.

Ponder, originally from Rineyville, graduated from the Kentucky State Police training academy in January and was stationed at the state police post in Mayfield.

He was also a U.S. Navy veteran.

In the hours following news of his death, his wife, Kelly Ponder posted on Facebook: 'Thank you for all the kind words.

Interstate 24 in Trigg County (pictured), Kentucky, was partially closed as police hunted for the gunman

Helicopters, dogs and several law enforcement agencies were used in the hunt for Johnson-Shanks

'My brother was the best man in the world and did not deserve what happened to him. Please pray for us, this was an enormous loss. #Heartbroken.'

State police said numerous law enforcement agencies, as well as helicopters and dogs were used to help with search efforts in the rural, wooded area.

Trooper Jay Thomas also said there are numerous vacant summer homes in the region, where police closed a 9-mile section of the interstate while the search was being conducted.