A suspect has been apprehended following the fatal shooting of a Kentucky State Police trooper Monday afternoon during a traffic stop in South-Central Kentucky.
Trooper Hayden Phillips, a 30-year-old with three years of experience at the agency, was shot on Interstate 65 near Smiths Grove in Warren County. Details surrounding what led up to the shooting have not yet been released by KSP.
The agency issued a public safety alert in the wake of the shooting, advising the suspect was armed and dangerous and possibly traveling in a blueish-gray Honda Civic with a temporary tag from Alabama.
In a news conference Monday night, KSP officials announced 51-year-old Emonnie Branch had been taken into custody by the Louisville Metro Police Department, with the assistance of a Grappler device and tactical unit.
"I will only mention his name one time because of his cowardly actions today," KSP Commissioner Phillip Burnett said.
Branch is charged with first-degree murder of a first responder or peace officer. He's expected to be remanded to Warren County to be jailed and prosecuted.
Under Kentucky law, killing a first responder or peace officer is a capital offense and a conviction can result in the death penalty or life in prison without parole.
KSP said Monday night investigators are still determining why Branch was pulled over. At the time of his arrest, Branch had an active arrest warrant for a probation violation in Sumner County, Tennessee.
Phillips worked out of Post 3 in Bowling Green. He joined KSP after graduating from cadet class in 2023.
"He was our brother and I believe I can speak for everyone at Post 3 when I say that Hayden was special," Public Affairs Officer Katan Parker said as he wept. "We lost a family member today."
Condolences are coming in from around the state, including from Gov. Andy Beshear.
"Hayden was a hero who dedicated himself to protecting our commonwealth. Even more, he was a devoted husband and loving father to three children,"Beshear posted on social media. "Let us wrap our arms around this family during this unimaginable time.
Attorney General Russell Coleman issued a statement calling Phillips one of Kentucky's finest who made "the ultimate sacrifice."
Kentucky State Sens. Mike Wilson (R-Bowling Green), David Givens (R-Greensburg) and Max Wise (R-Campbellsville) issued a joint statement Monday on behalf of Senate Majority Leadership and the Senate Majority Caucus.
"There is no excuse for violence against law enforcement. These men and women leave their families each day knowing a routine call or traffic stop can turn dangerous in an instant," the statement read. "Today, one Kentucky family experienced the terrible reality behind that risk."
Memorial services will be announced through KSP Post 3.
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