Incident: Monday, September 28, 2026, northbound Interstate 65 near Smiths Grove, Warren County, Kentucky. Reported by the Kentucky State Police the same day.
A Kentucky State Police trooper was shot and killed on the interstate Monday afternoon. KSP identified him as Trooper Hayden Phillips, Unit 369, assigned to Post 3 in Bowling Green and a graduate of Cadet Class 103.
The shooting happened at about 2:47 p.m. on northbound I-65 near Smiths Grove. KSP described it as a severe attack on law enforcement. The Bowling Green Daily News reported that the contact began as a traffic stop.
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Phillips was fatally injured. KSP Commissioner Col. Phillip Burnett Jr. said Phillips made the ultimate sacrifice while patrolling I-65 in Warren County, and that his dedication to duty and commitment to the Commonwealth will not be forgotten.
Whether Phillips or any other officer fired a weapon has not been released.
The Kentucky State Police issued a Blue Alert and identified the suspect as Emonnie Branch, 51, of Portland, Tennessee. KSP announced later Monday afternoon that Branch had been taken into custody in Louisville.
Investigators had been searching for a bluish-gray 2025 Honda Civic carrying a temporary Alabama tag, last seen headed north on I-65. The WKU Herald reported that the FBI helped locate Branch by pinging his phone.
Northbound I-65 was shut down for several hours while investigators worked the scene. Traffic was rerouted at Exit 30.
Phillips served with the Kentucky State Police for three years, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page. WKYT reported he was from Glasgow, and WNKY reported he previously served with the Glasgow Police Department. He is survived by his wife and three children.
The Kentucky State Police released funeral arrangements. Visitation is scheduled for Saturday, October 3, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Central at Living Hope Baptist Church in Bowling Green. The funeral is scheduled for Sunday, October 4, at noon Central at E.A. Diddle Arena on the campus of Western Kentucky University, with burial in Glasgow immediately following.
KSP also released a procession route, running from Diddle Arena through Bowling Green to northbound Interstate 65 and the Louie B. Nunn Cumberland Parkway and on to Glasgow. The agency said the public is welcome to gather along the route. Gov. Andy Beshear ordered flags at state office buildings lowered to half-staff from sunrise Wednesday through sunset Sunday, WDRB reported.
Branch has been charged with murder of a first responder. Under Kentucky law that charge is a capital offense, and a person convicted of it is sentenced to death or to life in prison without benefit of probation or parole.
Branch was arraigned Tuesday, September 29, and a judge denied him bond. Prosecutors argued he is a flight risk and a danger to the community, citing an extensive criminal history and an allegation that he gave police a false name. An extradition matter involving an outstanding Tennessee probation-violation warrant was continued until Friday.
A Warren County grand jury returned an indictment Thursday, October 1. Branch is charged with murder of a first responder, possession of a handgun by a convicted felon and tampering with physical evidence. Arraignment in Warren Circuit Court is set for October 12.
The Kentucky State Police is investigating.
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