(WBKO/WKYT) – New information is being released in the case surrounding the death of KSP Trooper Hayden Phillips. He was fatally shot on Sept. 28 on I-65 in Warren County while conducting a traffic stop. That traffic stop turned into a manhunt for the suspect which ended in Louisville.
The suspect and man charged with murder is Emonnie Branch, 51, of Portland, Tennessee.
An affidavit for search warrant obtained by WBKO News details evidence that law enforcement say they found. The new information details what investigators say the found in the car that Branch was on the run with during the manhunt.
What investigators searched for in cell phone records
According to the affidavit, an Apple iPhone was seized from a 2017 Honda Civic, that officials say Branch was driving the day of the shooting. That’s the same vehicle that law enforcement sent out Blue Alerts for which is used to warn the public when a law enforcement officer has been killed, seriously injured, assaulted with a deadly weapon, or is missing in the line of duty, and the suspect is at large.
The affidavit states that manual and forensic evidence was gathered from the iPhone that included the download and examination, including any off-site downloads as necessary to include all subscriber information, stored numbers, communications, and files, including but not limited to telephone numbers, voice mails, text messages, digital images, videos, data files, deleted data, incoming and outgoing call lists, notes and address/phone lists, web history, GPS locations attached to photographs or other applications, map data, including all applications, and data stored therein to investigate a charge of murder and / or drug trafficking.
The specific time frame to be searched from was Aug. 29 to Sept. 29, according to the affidavit.
What investigators detailed in the affidavit for search warrant
On Sept. 28, KSP Trooper Hayden Phillips conducted a traffic stop on a bluish-gray Honda Civic on I-65 northbound near mile marker 28.
The Honda had a temporary tag that was expired.
Trooper Phillips approached from the passenger side. His in-car camera captured the interaction. Trooper Phillips can be seen on the video leaning into the vehicle conversing with the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle who appeared to be a Black male with dreadlock style hair.
There were then two shots that can be seen and Trooper Phillips collapsed and fell backward.
The Honda Civic is then seen on the camera merging back into traffic and continuing northbound on I-65.
What investigators say they learned through investigation about Branch using a temporary tag while on the run
Through investigation, it was learned that the temporary tag TN018596, belonged to a 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe registered to someone who knew Branch.
Law enforcement was able to check databases which showed their current address in Portland, Tennessee.
Law enforcement data bases also showed that Emonnie Branch was a known associate of the registered car owner linked to the same address.
A check of vehicle registrations in Tennessee showed a 2017 Gray Honda Civic registered to Branch was a registration plate of 713BKWX.
The vehicle matched the description of the suspect vehicle and the car owner also confirmed that the bluish-gray Honda was Branch’s.
Additionally, the car owner was present with law enforcement when they called Branch and asked why he was using their temp tag and Branch hung up.
They then received a call from someone named “Ski” who said he had spoken to Branch who told him he was on the run.
Law enforcement databases returned a possible phone number for Branch, which the car owner confirmed that was the number that they used for Branch as well.
What led to Branch being found and what law enforcement say they found in the car
Emergency PINGS of Branch’s phone led to him being found in Jefferson County, Kentucky in a bluish-gray Honda Civic.
A search warrant was executed on the Honda Civic. During processing an iPhone was found inside the vehicle along with two spent shell casing and suspected narcotics inside of a Cheetos bag.
In officials law enforcement training experience, they said they believed the white powder to be consistent with cocaine.
The suspected drugs were packed in three separate baggies.
Additionally, a digital scale and multiple plastic baggies were found. Based on the amount and location of suspected narcotics, digital scales, drug paraphernalia, including baggies, officials said they had probable cause to believe that Branch was engaged in drug trafficking.
Officials said from their training and experience that those engaged in drug trafficking use cell phones to communicate with others to buy and sell drugs, including taking, sending and saving photographs of narcotics and paraphernalia.
What happens next
The search warrant requests access to information on the phone to investigate the charge of murder and/or drug trafficking.
Branch isn’t currently charged with drug trafficking but according to the affidavit, police found two spent shell casings and suspected narcotics inside of a Cheetos bag inside of Branch’s car.
What Branch is charged with
Branch faces charges of murder of a first responder, tampering with physical evidence and possession of a handgun by a convicted felon. He was in court on Tuesday, Oct.27 where he entered a not guilty plea.
