WARREN COUNTY, KY — A Kentucky state trooper was killed Monday while patrolling Interstate 65 in Warren County, according to state authorities.
Kentucky State Police said the officer, later identified as Hayden Phillips, died after what officials described as a severe attack near the 38-mile marker. A suspect was taken into custody after an hourslong manhunt.
Police said the trooper was on duty at the time of the shooting. No additional details about how the attack unfolded have been released.
State police identify fallen trooper as Hayden Phillips
Kentucky State Police named the deceased trooper as Hayden Phillips in a statement Monday evening. The agency said the loss was deeply felt across the department.
Col. Phillip Burnett Jr. said the agency was facing one of its hardest moments in announcing the death of one of its own. He said Phillips’ dedication to duty and commitment to the commonwealth would not be forgotten.
The statement did not provide Phillips’ age or years of service. It also did not release further information about the shooting scene or the condition of the suspect after the arrest.
Alert issued for bluish gray Honda Civic during manhunt
During the search, authorities issued an alert for a possible suspect vehicle described as a bluish-gray 2025 Honda Civic. Police also warned that the person they were seeking should be considered armed and dangerous.
The alert remained active through the afternoon as investigators and law enforcement agencies searched for the suspect. Kentucky State Police later canceled it Monday evening after Louisville police took the suspect into custody.
Officials did not immediately explain where the arrest happened or whether the vehicle was recovered. They also did not say whether anyone else was hurt.
Louisville police take suspect into custody after hourslong search
State police said the suspect was arrested by Louisville police, ending the manhunt that had stretched for hours. The custody update came Monday evening, after the statewide alert was canceled.
Authorities have not publicly identified the suspect or said what charges may follow. No further information was released about the sequence of events leading up to the arrest.
The case remained under active investigation, with state police giving only limited details about the shooting and the subsequent search.
Governor calls Phillips a hero and devoted father
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear paid tribute to Phillips in a social media statement, calling him a hero who dedicated himself to protecting the commonwealth. Beshear also said Phillips was a devoted husband and the loving father of three children.
The governor asked Kentuckians to support the family during what he described as an unimaginable time. His comments reflected the impact of the death beyond state police ranks.
State officials have not announced any public memorial plans or additional family details. The focus Monday night remained on the investigation and the loss of the trooper.
Interstate 65 scene left investigators with few immediate answers
The shooting took place along a major corridor used by drivers moving through south-central Kentucky, adding urgency to the police response. Warren County officials and state police have not said why Phillips was stopped in the area or what prompted the attack.
Authorities have also not explained whether the trooper was alone when the shooting occurred. The limited public information left several basic questions unanswered as investigators continued their work.
For now, state police have confirmed only the death of Phillips, the arrest of a suspect and the early details of the vehicle search that followed the shooting.
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