Emonnie Branch, 51, a Tennessee man on probation with a lengthy criminal record, has been charged with the murder of Kentucky State Trooper Hayden Phillips following a traffic-stop shooting on Interstate 65. Branch was denied bond and is being held on murder and fugitive charges; records show prior convictions including securities fraud and illegal firearm possession. Federal and state officials pledged full support to local prosecutors as investigators continue to build the case. The trooper's family and community have organized tributes and a vigil, and Gov. Andy Beshear ordered flags at half-staff.
Repeat Offender Accused Of Killing Kentucky State Trooper During Traffic Stop
Booking photo of Emonnie Branch wearing a green garment
A Tennessee man with a lengthy criminal history has been charged in the fatal shooting of Kentucky State Trooper Hayden Phillips during a traffic stop on Interstate 65 in Warren County, authorities said.
Emonnie Branch, 51, is being held without bond in the killing of Kentucky State Police Trooper Hayden Phillips.
Emonnie Branch, 51, was denied bond Tuesday on a charge of murder of a first responder and is being held without bond on both the murder charge and a related fugitive charge. Records reviewed by reporters show Branch was on a five-year probation term for a fraud-related conviction, with supervision scheduled through July 2030, and was reportedly wanted on a probation violation tied to that securities fraud case before the shooting.
Emonnie Branch was on probation when he was accused of killing Trooper Hayden Phillips, Tennessee correction records show.
Court and correctional records indicate Branch has an extensive criminal history, including attempted domestic assault, violating a no-contact order, securities fraud and a 2009 conviction for illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Local jail files also show he was arrested twice this year on probation violations.
Kentucky State Police Trooper Hayden Phillips was killed while patrolling Interstate 65 in Warren County on Monday.
Kentucky authorities issued a statewide Blue Alert after the Monday shooting. Louisville Metro Police located and captured Branch that evening, officials said.
Kentucky State Police released an image of a Honda Civic they said was present during the shooting of Trooper Hayden Phillips on Interstate 65.
"He was senselessly murdered," U.S. Attorney Kyle Bumgarner said at a news briefing, noting the trooper leaves behind a wife and three young sons. "We will provide every tool and every bit of support to help seek the maximum sentence."
Kentucky State Police Commissioner Col. Phillip Burnett Jr. described the shooting as a "cowardly" act and vowed the agency would pursue justice for Trooper Phillips. Phillips had served three years with the Kentucky State Police and was assigned to Post 3 in Bowling Green.
Flowers and stuffed animals surround a cruiser outside Kentucky State Police Post 3 in tribute to fallen Trooper Hayden Phillips.
Community members have left flowers and stuffed animals at a cruiser outside Post 3 as tributes. A candlelight vigil was scheduled for Thursday evening, and Gov. Andy Beshear ordered flags at state buildings lowered to half-staff on Oct. 4. The governor also encouraged donations to the Kentucky State Police Foundation to support the trooper's family.
Trooper Phillips' wife, Jordan, shared a public message mourning her husband and asking friends and neighbors to share memories with their three young sons. Investigators continue to develop the case and have released an image of a Honda Civic they say was present during the shooting as they pursue additional leads.
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