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A California Highway Patrol (CHP) officer was killed in the line of duty Monday evening after a crash on State Route 99 in Tulare County.

On Sept. 28, at about 5:11 p.m., CHP Officer Brian Liles, 44, was riding a department-issued motorcycle northbound on State Route 99 just south of Avenue 152 in Tipton when it collided with a truck-tractor. The collision ejected the officer from the motorcycle, and he was subsequently struck by a passing vehicle. Despite lifesaving efforts, Officer Liles succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

Officer Liles is a CHP veteran of more than 16 years. He was assigned to the CHP’s San Jose Area office in 2010 after graduating from the CHP Academy. He also served the communities of Hayward and Fresno before transferring to the Visalia Area office in 2019. In December 2025, Officer Liles became one of the first motorcycle officers assigned to the Visalia Area after completing the Department’s rigorous motorcycle training at the Academy. Officer Liles is survived by his wife, two children, parents, and siblings.

Around 2:00 p.m., Trooper Phillips was shot after conducting a traffic stop of a vehicle near mile marker 38.

Officials said 30-year-old Post 3 Trooper Hayden Phillips pulled a car over on Interstate 65 in Warren County, Kentucky, on Sept. 28 at about 2 p.m. CT.

A witness driving by called authorities, officials said at a news conference.

Hayden is described as a dedicated public servant and a hero who dedicated himself to protecting everyone in the community.

In a statement, Kentucky State Police Commissioner Col. Phillip Burnett Jr. said, "His dedication to duty and commitment to the Commonwealth will never be forgotten," "Our hearts break for Trooper Phillips’ family, loved ones and fellow troopers as we grieve this tremendous loss."

Trooper Phillips served with the Kentucky State Police for three years and was assigned to Post 3 in Bowling Green. He was a loving husband and father to his three sons.

The Texas Department of Public Safety graduated 51 new Texas Highway Patrol Troopers during its Aug. 28 Recruit Class A-2026 graduation ceremony in Cedar Park.

This is the department's 182nd graduating class, with 39 men and 12 women ages 21 to 58.

The keynote speaker of the graduation ceremony was Texas State Representative Cole Hefner, who currently serves as the Chair of the Homeland Security, Public Safety and Veterans' Affairs Committee in the Texas House. Hefner also has a brother who graduated from the DPS Training Academy and has been a member of the DPS family for years.

"As the brother of a current Texas State Trooper, I am very familiar with all the sacrifices you have made – and will continue to make – as you protect and serve your fellow Texas," Hefner said. "This department has a storied legacy, and I am confident that each of these graduates will carry on the honor, excellence and integrity that comes with the Texas tan each time they put on the badge."

Members of the Public Safety Commission, including Chairman Steven P. Mach and Commissioners Nelda Luce Blair and Steven H. Stodghill, as well as DPS leaders, including Colonel Freeman F. Martin, Lt. Colonel Jason Taylor and other DPS leadership, were in attendance to congratulate Class A-2026.

"Being a Texas State Trooper is more than wearing the badge — it is a commitment to serve with integrity, courage and dedication, no matter the circumstances," Martin said. "These new Troopers will work many long nights that often turn into early mornings, making sacrifices to protect and serve the people of Texas. As they begin this important chapter, I am proud to welcome them to the DPS family, and I pray that God will watch over and protect them as they go out each day to serve this great state."

All recruits underwent a 30-week-in-resident Training Academy where they received over 1,200 hours of instruction. The training was taught by experts in various topics ranging from criminal and traffic law enforcement, crash investigation, crisis intervention, use of force, criminal investigations, communications, cultural diversity, fitness and wellness and emergency medical assistance.

Recruits also received Tactical Emergency Casualty Care training and learned topics including trauma assessment, bleeding control and treatment for shock in preparation to work as a Highway Patrol Trooper.

Training concluded with the Field Training Exercise (FTX), which is a culmination of scenarios and training events that simulate a day-to-day of a Highway Patrol Trooper. Recruits completed about 25 scenarios ranging from vehicle pursuits to compliant driver traffic stops.

Class A-2026 also participated in the traditional Legacy Run earlier in the week. The five-mile run was first implemented as an eight-mile route in 2008 to mark the completion of the Training Academy. DPS Recruits were accompanied by their instructors, members of DPS leadership and DPS retirees as they departed Wednesday morning from the DPS headquarters and ended at the Texas State Capitol.

 The graduated Troopers will report to their stations across Texas on Sept. 29.