KSP holds press conference after Trooper Hayden Phillips killed in Warren County
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WNKY) — Kentucky State Police held a news conference Monday evening at Hillvue Heights Church in Bowling Green following the fatal shooting of Trooper Hayden Phillips.
Kentucky State Police Commissioner Phillip Burnett Jr. said Monday was one of the agency’s most difficult days after losing one of its own. Phillips was a three-year veteran of KSP and a graduate of Cadet Class 103.
According to Burnett, Phillips stopped a vehicle on Interstate 65 in Warren County around 2 p.m. Monday. During the traffic stop, Phillips was fatally shot by an occupant of the vehicle. The vehicle then fled the scene.
Burnett said the suspect was later located in Louisville, where Louisville Metro Police used a Grappler device to stop the vehicle.
The suspect, 51-year-old Emonni Branch of Portland, Tennessee, was taken into custody. Branch is charged with murder of a peace officer.
WLKY reports that Branch was arrested at 3100 Algonquin Parkway in Louisville.
Burnett thanked Louisville Metro Police and the many local and state agencies that assisted in the response.
“Please know we will seek justice for Hayden,” Burnett said.
Phillips leaves behind a wife and three children.
U.S. Attorney Kyle G. Bumgarner said Branch will be transported back to Warren County, where he will face state murder charges.
“While these men serve every day, to the community of Bowling Green and the Commonwealth of Kentucky, these men are hurting. While these troopers serve, in the days ahead we must support them,” Bumgarner said.
Bumgarner called Phillips’ killing the most heinous crime that can be committed in the Commonwealth.
Trooper Katan Parker, public affairs officer for KSP Post 3, became emotional while speaking about Phillips and thanking people across the community who brought food, sent messages and offered support throughout the day.
“He was our brother. Hayden was our brother,” Parker said.
Law enforcement officials gave no indication Monday evening of when northbound Interstate 65 would reopen.
Kentucky State Police said additional details about funeral and memorial services for Phillips will be released by KSP Post 3 Public Affairs Officer Trooper Katan Parker in the coming days.
