Kentucky manhunt ends in arrest of suspect in trooper's killing on Interstate 65

A Kentucky state trooper was killed at a traffic stop, triggering a statewide manhunt that ended with the suspect's arrest.

Trooper Hayden Phillips, 30, was gunned down along Interstate 65 in Warren County on Monday, September 28, 2026.

Kentucky state police have arrested the suspect who fled the scene in a bluish-gray Honda Civic with Alabama temporary tag TN018596.

“He was senselessly murdered,” U.S. attorney Kyle Bumgarner said during a news conference on Monday night.

Phillips was a three-year veteran of the Kentucky State Police, assigned to Post 3 in Bowling Green.

He was a graduate from Cadet Class 103 and known to fellow troopers as Unit 369.

State police had earlier announced a trooper-involved shooting incident on northbound I-65 near the 38-mile marker.

They then issued a Blue alert that identified Emonnie Branch as the wanted person.

Following the arrest of Branch by the Louisville Metro Police, the state police cancelled the alert.

Kentucky State Police Commissioner Col. Philip Burnett Jr said Branch was being charged with the murder of a first responder.

While Attorney Bumgarner said the alleged shooter Branch would be returned to Warren County, where he will face state murder charges.

Trooper Phillips is survived by a wife and three young sons.