Gov. Beshear Orders Flags to Half-Staff Sunday in Honor of Kentucky State Trooper

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 29, 2026) - Gov. Andy Beshear has ordered flags at all state buildings to be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Sunday, Oct. 4, in honor of a Kentucky State Police (KSP) trooper who died in the line of duty.

KSP Trooper Hayden W. Phillips, 28, was shot and killed during a traffic stop in Bowling Green on Sept. 28. Phillips graduated from KSP Academy Class 103 in August 2023 and served his entire tenure with KSP at Post 3 in Bowling Green. Prior to becoming a state trooper, Phillips served with the Glasgow Police Department and was also a seasonal firefighter.

"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," said Gov. Beshear. "I am asking Kentuckians to join me in continuing to pray for his wife, Jordan, and their three children during this difficult time. If you wish to support them, consider donating to the Kentucky State Police Foundation, where all proceeds will go directly to the family."

Donations to the Kentucky State Police Foundation for the benefit of the Phillips family can be made at kspfoundation.org/donations.

A funeral service for Trooper Phillips will be held at E.A. Diddle Arena on the campus of Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green at noon CDT. Interment will follow at Glasgow Municipal Cemetery.

Gov. Beshear encourages individuals, businesses and organizations throughout the commonwealth to join in this tribute. Flag status information is available at governor.ky.gov/flag-status.