The Tennessee man charged with killing a Kentucky state trooper was on probation and already wanted for an alleged violation. His criminal history includes convictions involving assault, fraud and illegal firearm possession.
Emonnie Branch, 51, was denied bond Tuesday on a murder-of-a-first-responder charge in the death of Trooper Hayden Phillips, a husband and father of three young sons.
Records from the Tennessee Department of Correction reviewed by News Media show Branch was serving a five-year probation term stemming from a fraud-related conviction. His supervision was scheduled to continue through July 2030.
Sumner County District Attorney Thomas Dean told Fox 17 Nashville that Branch was wanted for violating probation connected to his securities fraud conviction even before Monday’s shooting.
Emonnie Branch, 51, is being held without bond in connection with the killing of Kentucky State Police Trooper Hayden Phillips. (Warren County Detention Center)
“It looks like he has a very extensive and varied criminal history,” Commonwealth’s Attorney Kori Bumgarner said during Branch’s arraignment Tuesday, according to the outlet.
Tennessee correctional records show Emonnie Branch was on probation when he was accused of killing Trooper Hayden Phillips. (Tennessee Department of Correction)
Dean said Branch’s previous convictions included attempted domestic assault, violating a no-contact order and securities fraud. Court records reviewed by the outlet also list a 2009 conviction for illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.
Fox 17 reported that Branch had been arrested twice this year for probation violations. Warren County Regional Jail records reviewed by News Media show he is being held without bond on the murder allegation and a fugitive charge.
Kentucky State Police Trooper Hayden Phillips was killed Monday while patrolling Interstate 65 in Warren County. (KY State Police)
Kentucky State Police said Phillips was shot and killed during a traffic stop on Interstate 65 in Warren County on Monday. Authorities named Branch as the suspect and issued a statewide Blue Alert before Louisville Metro Police arrested him later that evening.
“He was senselessly murdered,” U.S. Attorney Kyle Bumgarner said Monday night at a news briefing. “We have a wife that expected her husband to come home. We have three little boys who don’t have a dad.”
Kentucky State Police released an image of a Honda Civic they said was at the scene when Trooper Hayden Phillips was shot on Interstate 65. (KY State Police)
“One of our own was gunned down and murdered on the side of the road,” Kyle Bumgarner said.
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He promised that the Justice Department would provide state prosecutors and investigators with “every tool” and “every bit of support” available as they seek the maximum sentence.
Kentucky State Police Commissioner Col. Phillip Burnett Jr. denounced the suspect’s “cowardly actions” and explained why he had used Branch’s name only once.
“I want you to know I only mentioned his name one time,” Burnett said.
“We will seek justice for Hayden,” he continued. “Let me repeat that: We will seek justice for Hayden. We will not rest until this happens.”
Phillips had served with the state police for three years and was assigned to Post 3 in Bowling Green. Burnett assured the trooper’s family that the agency would remain by their side.
“You will not walk this path alone,” he said.
Phillips’ wife, Jordan, shared her grief Tuesday.
Flowers and stuffed animals surround a cruiser outside Kentucky State Police Post 3 in tribute to fallen Trooper Hayden Phillips. (Governor Andy Beshear)
“I’ve laid here all night waiting for him to come home… for the radio to click off, the gun belt to hang,” she wrote on Facebook.
“I promise to pick up all the pieces and force myself to carry on for your boys. I know you would want me to,” she added.
State police escorted Phillips’ body to Glasgow Tuesday. A candlelight vigil is scheduled for Thursday at 6:30 p.m. local time.
Gov. Andy Beshear ordered flags at all state buildings lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset Sunday, Oct. 4, in honor of Phillips.
“Trooper Hayden Phillips was a hero who sacrificed everything protecting our people and our commonwealth, and it is our sacred duty to honor him and his family,” Beshear said.
He urged Kentuckians to pray for Jordan and their three children and encouraged donations to the Kentucky State Police Foundation, saying all proceeds would go directly to the family.
Jordan asked people to share memories of her husband with their sons.
“He was just the kind of guy who is easy to celebrate,” she wrote.