Hundreds Mourn Fallen Kentucky Trooper Hayden Phillips at Funeral

Kentucky State Police Trooper Hayden Phillips, 28, was killed Sept. 28, 2026, during a traffic stop on I-65 in Warren County. The father of three, who had served KSP three years, was honored Oct. 4 at E.A. Diddle Arena at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green before hundreds of family, community members and officers. Commissioner Phillip Burnett Jr. read the Sandlot line Phillips lived by and recalled farm moments that became precious memories. Gov. Andy Beshear said the arena was filled wall to wall because Phillips led with kindness, laughter and love. Billy Ray Cyrus sang Some Gave All, a family photo slideshow played, and Jeremy Smith read Jordan Phillips' words that their boys will carry his name and she will make sure they know who their daddy was. A procession along I-65 went to Glasgow Municipal Cemetery, where Clydesdales led the coffin with bagpipers and troopers. Emonnie Branch, 51, of Portland, Tennessee, was arrested after a manhunt and indicted Oct. 1 on murder of a first responder and related charges, with arraignment Oct. 12. Beshear ordered flags at half-staff. The KSP Foundation is accepting donations for the family. No contested claims were found in the record. Rated coverage was 2 left, 4 center and 0 right.