Suspect in Fatal Shooting of Ky. State Police Trooper Caught After Interstate Manhunt

Kentucky State Police arrested a Tennessee man accused of fatally shooting Trooper Hayden Phillips during an Interstate 65 traffic stop before fleeing to Louisville, where he was captured hours later.
Sept. 29, 2026
2 min read
Add Us On Google

What to Know

  • Kentucky State Police have taken 51-year-old Emonnie Branch of Tennessee into custody in connection with the fatal shooting of Trooper Hayden Phillips during a traffic stop on Interstate 65.
  • Investigators say Phillips, 30, pulled Branch over Monday afternoon before Branch allegedly shot and killed the trooper and fled to Louisville, where he was later apprehended.
  • Phillips, a three-year veteran of the state police, is survived by his wife and three young sons. Branch faces a murder of a peace officer charge.

More on OFFICER.com

Ky. Trooper Fatally Shot While Patrolling Interstate: 'Hayden Was a Hero'

  • Kentucky State Police Trooper Hayden Phillips was fatally shot while on duty along Interstate 65 in Warren County, and the gunman fled the scene.

By Taylor Six

Source Lexington Herald-Leader

A suspect believed to have shot and killed a Kentucky State Police trooper Monday has been taken into custody, according to law enforcement.

Trooper Hayden Phillips, Unit 369, was shot and killed Monday afternoon while patrolling Interstate 65 near the 38-mile marker. Police issued a BLUE Alert shorty after the shooting, urging people to be on the lookout for a “blue-ish gray” Honda Civic with a temporary tag.

At around 7 p.m., state police confirmed they had a suspect in custody. Troopers identified the suspect as Emonnie Branch, 51, of Portland, Tennessee.

Branch is in custody with the Louisville Metro Police Department and charged with murder of a peace officer. He will be transported to

State police said in a news conference Monday that Phillips pulled Branch over on the interstate, and Branch fatally shot Phillips before he fled to Louisville where he was captured.

Branch had an active arrest warrant out of Tennessee for a probation violation, according to the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office.

Phillips, a three-year veteran of KSP who was 30, leaves behind a wife and three young boys state police said. Memorial services will be announced through KSP Post 3.

_____________

©2026 Lexington Herald-Leader.

Visit kentucky.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Sign up for our eNewsletters
Get the latest news and updates

Related

Sponsored
Sponsored

Voice Your Opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Officer, create an account today!