Repeat offender with lengthy rap sheet accused of gunning down Kentucky trooper during traffic stop
The Tennessee man accused of killing a Kentucky state trooper was on probation and already wanted for a violation, with a criminal record that included assault, fraud and illegally possessing a gun.
Emonnie Branch, 51, was denied bond Tuesday on a charge of murder of a first responder in the death of Trooper Hayden Phillips, a husband and father of three young boys.
Tennessee Department of Correction records reviewed by Fox News Digital show Branch was serving five years of probation for a fraud-related conviction. His supervision was scheduled to end in July 2030.
Sumner County District Attorney Thomas Dean told Fox 17 Nashville that Branch was already wanted for a probation violation tied to his securities fraud conviction before Monday’s shooting.
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"Looks like he has a very extensive and varied criminal history," Commonwealth’s Attorney Kori Bumgarner said during Tuesday’s arraignment, the outlet reported.
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Dean said Branch’s prior convictions included attempted domestic assault, violating a no-contact order and securities fraud. Court records reviewed by the outlet also showed a 2009 conviction for illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.
Fox 17 reported that Branch was arrested twice this year for probation violations. Warren County Regional Jail records reviewed by Fox News Digital show he is being held without bond on the murder charge and a fugitive charge.
Phillips was shot and killed during a traffic stop on Interstate 65 in Warren County Monday, Kentucky State Police said. Authorities identified Branch as the suspect and issued a statewide Blue Alert before Louisville Metro Police captured him that evening.
"He was senselessly murdered," U.S. Attorney Kyle Bumgarner said Monday night during 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."
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"One of our own was gunned down and murdered on the side of the road," Kyle Bumgarner added.
He pledged that the Justice Department would give state prosecutors and investigators "every tool" and "every bit of support" it could to help them pursue the maximum sentence.
Kentucky State Police Commissioner Col. Phillip Burnett Jr. condemned the suspect’s "cowardly actions" and explained why he had mentioned his 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 was a three-year state police veteran assigned to Post 3 in Bowling Green. Burnett promised his family the agency would stand beside them.
"You will not walk this path alone," he said.
Phillips’ wife, Jordan, shared her grief Tuesday.
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"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.