Kentucky Police Hunt Armed Suspect After Trooper Shooting on I-65

Kentucky State Police Trooper Hayden Phillips, Unit 369, was shot and killed on Sept. 28, 2026, while patrolling I-65 in Warren County. Phillips was assigned to Post 3 Bowling Green, a Cadet Class 103 graduate, and the son of Homer and Robin Phillips of Adair County. Commissioner Phillip Burnett Jr. said he made the ultimate sacrifice. Gov. Andy Beshear asked the state to join Britainy and him in prayer, calling Phillips a hero, a devoted husband, and a loving father to three children. The Kentucky House of Representatives issued a joint statement standing with troopers and law enforcement. KSP issued a Blue Alert for a severe attack on law enforcement and sought a bluish-gray 2025 Honda Civic with Alabama temporary tag TN018596, last reported on I-65 North near mile marker 75. A public alert named Emonnie Branch, a Black man with dreadlocks in a bun, as armed and dangerous; the public was told not to approach and to call 911. Multiple units maintained pursuit. I-65 northbound was reported closed at 2:40 p.m.; one account cited mile marker 38, and a wire summary cited mile marker 30 and said officials had not confirmed a link to the shooting. Authorities have not said what led to the shooting. The suspect search continued.