Kentucky State Police bodycam footage shows ‘unacceptable’ assault by ex-trooper
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- State police released July 28, 2023 body-worn camera of trooper assault.
- Kilbourne pleaded guilty Jan. 12, 2026 and got a five-year sentence.
- Victim sued in Oct 2023 federal court seeking punitive damages; case ongoing.
Kentucky State Police have released the body-worn camera footage showing a former trooper assaulting a suspect during a foot pursuit a few years ago.
The incident happened July 28, 2023, in Carroll County. Former trooper Hayden Kilbourne, who was 25 at the time of the incident, and another trooper joined a police chase for a suspect who was reportedly armed and driving a stolen vehicle in Northern Kentucky.
Sgt. Matt Sudduth said the chase went through four counties before a trooper used a tire deflation device to puncture one of the vehicle’s tires. Dash-camera footage from one of the troopers involved in the chase shows the suspect running over the device and coming to a stop about one minute later on the right shoulder of Interstate 71 in Carroll County.
The suspect, 20-year-old Robert Kidd, then hopped out of the right side of his vehicle and escaped through a wooded area. Kilbourne and the other trooper chased after him and arrested him about two minutes later.
The body-worn camera footage shows Kilbourne threatening to kill Kidd and using a taser to end the foot pursuit. While the suspect was on the ground, Kilbourne hit him with a baton multiple times.
Sudduth said it appears Kidd was complying with commands while Kilbourne beat him.
Kilbourne threatened to kill Kidd, using expletives and yelling “I will f-----g kill you,” after hitting him with the baton, and before placing him in handcuffs. While hitting Kidd with the baton, Kilbourne repeatedly told Kidd to show his hands, which Kidd was doing.
“The video you’re about to see is unacceptable,” Col. Phillip Burnett Jr., commissioner of state police, said in a video statement. “Former trooper Kilbourne’s actions were out of line, and rightfully prosecuted. Troopers have a duty to uphold the law in all ways.”
The assault left Kidd with seven stitches in his upper lip, bruising across his face and body, and broken teeth, according to court documents. The suspect was charged with first-degree fleeing or evading police, first-degree wanton endangerment, speeding, resisting arrest, receiving stolen property, possession of marijuana and buying or possessing marijuana, and later accepted a guilty plea deal for a three-year sentence, according to court records.
Kidd’s attorney: Footage doesn’t tell full story
Michael Smith, an attorney representing Kidd, said the footage and commentary don’t tell the complete story. The footage was edited, he said, and only select portions were shared.
Smith also said Kilbourne was not the only trooper who committed wrongdoing the day of the incident. The footage shows Trooper Jake Noel participating in the vehicle and foot pursuit for Kidd and taking no action while Kilbourne beat and threatened him.
Noel was not subject to any disciplinary action, according to Smith.
“The absolute lack of consequences, professional or otherwise, for Noel raises serious concerns about KSP’s commitment to accountability, upholding the law, and protecting the community it serves,” Smith said in a statement. “We are committed to pursuing justice through all available means for Mr. Kidd moving forward.”
What happened after the incident?
Kilbourne was placed on administrative leave the day after the incident, and he was notified Aug. 2, 2023, that police planned to fire him, according to court records. Kilbourne protested the potential firing to the state police trial board, who gave him a six-month suspension without pay, according to Sudduth.
Two days after Burnett Jr. issued an intent to fire Kilbourne, state police began a criminal investigation into the incident. Sudduth said the case was presented to the prosecutor’s office Sept. 18, 2023, leading to Kilbourne being charged with second-degree assault and third-degree terroristic threatening.
Kilbourne posted a $30,000 bond the day of his arrest, according to court records. Sudduth said he was administratively assigned to the office of technical services while the court case was pending and did not perform any sworn law-enforcement duties after that.
Kilbourne, now 28, pleaded guilty to the charges Jan. 12, 2026, according to court records. He was later sentenced to five years in prison and is not allowed to work as a police officer again.
Kilbourne retired from state police Jan. 13, 2026, according to Sudduth.
Kilbourne is currently incarcerated at the Laurel County Detention Center. He is not expected to be released until November 2029, according to the Kentucky Department of Corrections.
Kilbourne is not eligible for parole until February 2027, according to the department of corrections.
Status of lawsuit filed by suspect beaten by Kilbourne
Kidd, who was 20 at the time of the July 2023 incident but is now 23, sued Kilbourne in Eastern Kentucky District Federal Court in October 2023, claiming the assault was “malicious, sadistic, and without justification,” according to court documents. He is seeking unspecified punitive damages and any additional relief the court would consider, court documents say.
The lawsuit is ongoing. Court documents say lawyers are scheduling depositions for Kidd and Kilbourne.
This story was originally published March 20, 2026 at 11:23 AM.
