FRANKFORT, Ky. (March. 19, 2026) – Kentucky State Police have released body camera footage of events involving a former state trooper who pleaded guilty to assault and terroristic threatening.
“Today we’re releasing this footage based on our commitment to be transparent,” stated KSP Public Affairs Commander Sgt. Matt Suddoth.
In a video, Suddoth laid out a timeline of events.
On July 28, 2023, former state trooper Hayden Kilbourne was involved in an excessive use-of-force incident in Carroll County.
At around 10 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 Phillip Burnett Jr. issued an intent to dismiss Kilbourne.
In accordance with the same statute, 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 Kilbourne: Assault 2nd Degree and Terroristic Threatening 3rd Degree.
Kilbourne was charged and arrested on Sept. 19, 2023.
Since 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, said Suddoth. “To protect victims, we have blurred their identities (in the video).”
KSP Commissioner Burnett added, “Former Trooper Kilbourne’s actions were out of line and rightfully prosecuted. Troopers have a duty to uphold the law in all ways.”
Here’s a link to the video: https://youtu.be/x0_1mdUjJiU
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