Kentucky State Police Releases Body Camera Footage and Video Statement
Former state trooper pleads guilty related to July 2023 use-of-force incident in Carroll County.
FRANKFORT, Ky. (March. 19, 2026) – Today, Kentucky State Police (KSP) Commissioner Phillip Burnett, Jr. KSP is releasing the body camera footage of events involving former state trooper Hayden Kilbourne, who has plead guilty to Assault 2nd Degree and Terroristic Threatening 3rd Degree.
Below is the transcript of the video:
KSP Sgt. Matt Sudduth, Public Affairs Commander:
Today we’re releasing this footage based on our commitment to be transparent. First, I’ll give a timeline for context of what you’re about to see.
On July 28, 2023, former state trooper Hayden Kilbourne was involved in an excessive use-of-force incident in Carroll County.
At around 10:00 that morning, Kentucky State Police troopers were involved in a pursuit initiated by a suspect reported to be armed and dangerous, driving a stolen vehicle. The pursuit traveled through four Kentucky counties and two KSP post areas, involving multiple police agencies.
KSP dispatch alerted Trooper Kilbourne of the incident, and he joined the pursuit.
Five days after the incident, on August 2, 2023, following an administrative review of this incident and acting in accordance with KRS Chapter 16, Commissioner Burnett issued an intent to dismiss Mr. Kilbourne.
In accordance with the same statute, Mr. Kilbourne exercised his right to challenge the proposed termination and requested a hearing before the KSP Trial Board.
After hearing the evidence, the board issued a six-month suspension without pay, which concluded on Feb. 15, 2024.
KSP launched a criminal investigation into the incident on August 4, 2023.
The case was submitted to the prosecutor’s office on Sept. 18, 2023, leading to the filing of two charges against Mr. Kilbourne: Assault 2nd Degree and Terroristic Threatening 3rd Degree.
Mr. Kilbourne was charged and arrested on Sept. 19, 2023.
Since Mr. Kilbourne was under a felony indictment, he could not serve as a road trooper.
Therefore, during the criminal case and judicial process, he was administratively assigned to the Office of Technical Services and did not perform any sworn law enforcement duties while the indictment was pending.
He submitted his resignation on Jan. 13, 2026 – and he has not been employed by the agency since.
In short, this trooper violated the sacred duty of policing.
To protect victims, we have blurred their identities.
KSP Commissioner Phillip Burnett, Jr.:
Hi, I am Colonel Phillip Burnett, Jr., Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police.
The video you are about to see is unacceptable. Former Trooper Kilbourne’s actions were out of line and rightfully prosecuted. Troopers have a duty to uphold the law in all ways.
Link to video: https://youtu.be/x0_1mdUjJiU
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