A Kentucky state trooper was fatally shot during a traffic stop on Interstate 65 in Warren County on Monday, September 28, authorities said. The incident triggered a major law enforcement search across the region before police arrested a suspect several hours later in Jefferson County.
The trooper was identified as Hayden Phillips, 30, a three-year veteran of the Kentucky State Police who was based at Post 3 in Bowling Green. Authorities said Phillips was conducting what was described as a routine traffic stop when he was shot.
Trooper Hayden Phillips Dies After I-65 Shooting
Kentucky State Police officials said Phillips was on duty along I-65 in Warren County when the shooting occurred Monday afternoon.
The vehicle involved in the traffic stop left the area following the shooting, prompting law enforcement agencies to begin an extensive search. Authorities initially issued a statewide Blue Alert and warned that the suspect should be considered armed and dangerous.
Phillips had served with the Kentucky State Police for three years and worked out of Bowling Green in south-central Kentucky. He was also a husband and father of three children.
Kentucky officials expressed condolences to Phillips’ family and colleagues following the shooting.
Suspect Located and Arrested in Jefferson County
Authorities later located the vehicle and suspect roughly 94 miles northeast of the shooting scene in Jefferson County.
Louisville police took a 51-year-old man from Portland, Tennessee, into custody, officials said. The suspect is expected to be transported back to Warren County, where he will face state murder charges.
Officials have not publicly disclosed why Phillips initially stopped the vehicle or provided a detailed account of what led to the shooting.
Investigators also have not released information about whether the suspect had a previous criminal record.
Investigation Into Fatal Kentucky Trooper Shooting Continues
The shooting remains under investigation as authorities work to establish the precise sequence of events surrounding the traffic stop and fatal attack.
Kentucky State Police officials said Phillips’ service to the agency and the state will be remembered as the investigation moves forward.
The case is expected to proceed through the state criminal justice system in Warren County. Additional details about the shooting, the suspect and the circumstances leading to the confrontation may be released as the investigation develops.
