FRANKFORT, KY — Kentucky State Police are asking people to honor fallen Trooper Hayden Phillips with a special workout tied to the details of his life and service. The event is set for Oct. 15, when KSP Cadet Class 107 will complete a Hero WOD in Phillips’ memory.
The agency is also inviting members of the public to take part wherever they are. Phillips was killed in the line of duty last week, and KSP said the workout is meant to recognize both his sacrifice and the people who served alongside him.
Phillips was killed during a traffic stop on I-65 in Warren County
Phillips was shot and killed on Interstate 65 in Warren County on Sept. 28 while he was conducting a traffic stop. Kentucky State Police have said the incident happened during his work as a trooper.
Hours later, police arrested Emonnie Branch in Louisville and charged Branch with murder. Those details have made Phillips’ death a major loss for the agency and for the communities that follow state police in Kentucky.
The Hero WOD is built around repeated movements and a timed effort
The workout begins with a 103-meter lunge buy-in. After that comes 29 minutes of as many rounds and reps as possible, using a sequence of three strict pull-ups, six burpees and nine sit-ups.
Participants then finish with a 928-meter run. KSP said the workout can be done with a kettlebell or dumbbell carry during the middle portion, using 50 pounds or 35 pounds depending on the athlete’s ability and equipment.
Every number in the workout points back to Phillips’ life
KSP said the workout was designed so the numbers would represent Phillips’ career and legacy. The 103-meter lunge refers to his cadet class, while the 29-minute effort reflects the age he was when he died.
His badge number was 369, and his end of watch was 9/28, the date of his death. By weaving those figures into the routine, the agency is turning the workout into a memorial that can be repeated by recruits and civilians alike.
Cadet Class 107 will perform the workout as a shared memorial
KSP said Cadet Class 107 will complete the Hero WOD on Oct. 15 as part of the tribute. The class number is separate from the memorial numbers in the workout, but the timing gives cadets a direct role in honoring Phillips.
The department is also extending the invitation beyond training members. People who want to participate can do the workout on their own, making the memorial accessible to anyone who wants to remember Phillips through the physical challenge.
A public tribute links fitness, remembrance and state police culture
Hero workouts are often used in law enforcement and fitness communities to remember fallen personnel through a demanding routine built around personal details. In this case, the exercise is meant to connect physical effort with Phillips’ service and sacrifice.
For Kentucky State Police, the tribute gives cadets and community members a way to take part in remembrance even if they are not at an official ceremony. The memorial centers on Phillips’ name, his badge and the circumstances of his final shift, keeping the focus on his life and the loss felt after his death.