The Tennessee man charged in the fatal shooting of a Kentucky State Police trooper was already on probation and wanted for an alleged violation when the attack occurred. 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 boys.
Records from the Tennessee Department of Correction reviewed by Fox News Digital show that Branch was serving a five-year probation sentence stemming from a fraud-related conviction. His probation 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 before Monday’s shooting.
“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.
Dean said Branch’s previous convictions included attempted domestic assault, violating a no-contact order and securities fraud.
Court records reviewed by Fox 17 also show that Branch was convicted in 2009 of illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.
Branch was arrested twice this year for alleged probation violations, Fox 17 reported.
Warren County Regional Jail records reviewed by Fox News Digital show that Branch is being held without bond on the murder and fugitive charges.
Kentucky State Police said Phillips was shot and killed Monday during a traffic stop on Interstate 65 in Warren County.
Authorities identified Branch as the suspect and issued a statewide Blue Alert. Louisville Metro Police captured him later 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.”
“One of our own was gunned down and murdered on the side of the road,” Kyle Bumgarner added.
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.
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Kentucky State Police Commissioner Col. Phillip Burnett Jr. denounced what he called the suspect’s “cowardly actions” and explained why he had referred to Branch by 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 Kentucky State Police for three years and was assigned to Post 3 in Bowling Green. Burnett told the trooper’s family that the agency would remain by their side.
“You will not walk this path alone,” he said.
Phillips’ wife, Jordan, spoke publicly about her grief Tuesday.
“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.
