Ky. Trooper Fatally Shot While Patrolling Interstate: 'Hayden Was a Hero'
What to Know
- Kentucky State Police Trooper Hayden Phillips was fatally shot Monday while on patrol along Interstate 65 in Warren County, prompting a statewide manhunt and BLUE Alert.
- Phillips, a member of Kentucky State Police Post 3 and a graduate of Cadet Class 103, was remembered by state leaders as a dedicated trooper, husband and father of three.
- Authorities are searching for an armed and dangerous suspect who fled the scene in a bluish-gray 2025 Honda Civic with temporary Alabama plates and has not yet been publicly identified.
Gov. Andy Beshear also posted to offer condolences and confirmed Phillips was shot.
“Hayden was a hero who dedicated himself to protecting our commonwealth,” Beshear said in the post. “Even more, he was a devoted husband and loving father to three children. Let us wrap our arms around this family during this unimaginable time.”
A BLUE Alert was sent out Monday around 3:30 p.m., alerting the public that a suspect is wanted in connection with a “severe attack” against a member of law enforcement. The incident happened in Warren County, state police say.
A BLUE Alert is an emergency notification used to enlist the public’s help when a law enforcement officer has been killed, seriously injured, or is missing in the line of duty.
The suspect was last seen in Warren County on Interstate 65 near the 75-mile marker. The suspect is described as driving a “bluish gray” 2025 Honda Civic with temporary Alabama plates, according to KSP.
The temporary tag is TN018596. Police said the northbound lane of I-65 was closed at the 30-mile marker Monday afternoon.
Law enforcement did not release the suspect’s name.
The public alert advises that if seen, people should avoid the suspect as they believe them to be armed and dangerous and call 911.
____________
©2026 Lexington Herald-Leader.
Visit kentucky.com.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.