All gave some, some gave all.
Kentucky State Trooper Hayden Phillips was laid to rest over the weekend, nearly a week after being killed in the line of duty during a traffic stop by a man with an extensive criminal history.
Phillips pulled over 51-year-old Emonnie Branch on Monday, September 28 near Smiths Grove, Kentucky for an expired temporary tag. Branch, who has an extensive criminal history, pulled a gun and shot the trooper before driving off and triggering a massive manhunt.
The tag plate on his Honda Civic was traced to a woman in Portland, Tennessee, who provided Branch’s phone number to police. After doing an emergency ping on his cell phone, police tracked Branch to Louisville and were able to take him into custody.
The Tennessee man has an extensive criminal history, and had an active warrant out of his home state for a probation violation. He was currently on probation after being sentenced last year for securities fraud, attempted domestic assault and violation of a no-contact order. While on probation, a drug test reportedly came back positive for amphetamine and methamphetamine, and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
Branch also has previous arrests for firearm possession, domestic assault causing bodily injury involving a minor, and felony theft.
He’s since been charged with murder of a first responder/peace officer, possession of a handgun by a convicted felon and tampering with physical evidence, and was denied bond during his first court appearance.
Phillips was killed just two days before his 29th birthday, and leaves behind a wife and three children. He had been with the Kentucky State Police for three years, assigned to Post 3 in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
A service was held for Phillips on Sunday at E. A. Diddle Arena on the campus of Western Kentucky University, where thousands packed the arena to honor the fallen hero.
In remembering the trooper, Kentucky State Police Commissioner Colonel Phillip “PJ“ Burnett, Jr. recalled a dedicated public servant:
“Heroes get remembered, but legends never die. Those are the words that Hayden Phillips chose to have permanently tattooed on his body. I think that tells us something about who Hayden was. He was a hero, but he was also a legend in the making.”
And his widow Jordan remembered a dedicated father in a letter read during the ceremony:
“He was the daddy who was always down on the floor, playing with the boys, the daddy who was always teaching them something. He didn’t just love his boys; he lived for them.”
The memorial service also featured a performance from Billy Ray Cyrus, a Kentucky native himself, who performed his 1992 single “Some Gave All.”
“All gave some and some gave all
Some stood through for the red, white, and blue
And some had to fall
And if you ever think of me
Think of all your liberties, and recall
Some gave all”
Amen. Thank you for your service, Trooper Phillips, and rest in peace.
