Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Thomas Ponder was shot and killed when he interrupted a burglary at a liquor house on Wall Street. The business had been closed by the county sheriff the previous day. Three men were arrested and charged with murder. The shooter was acquitted and the other two were released. Officer Ponder had served with the Atlanta Police Department for four years. He survived by his wife and seven children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-GA-5C3A1FB9- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
129 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Police Officer Ponder gave the Atlanta Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Atlanta community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Thomas J. Ponder is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In GA, 548 of 903 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.7% of this state's fallen. That is 6.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Atlanta Police Department, 58 of 88 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 65.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Thomas J. Ponder's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas J. Ponder Compares
Offender Outcome
Acquitted
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas J. Ponder is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas J. Ponder was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
87 officers from Atlanta Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
