Deputy Brandon Gaede - Phillips County Sheriffs Office - Kansas

On June 27, 2025, officers were sent to investigate loud booms and explosions at approximately 6:00 p.m..  Responding officers were unable to find the source and cleared the area attributing the noise to fireworks. 

Approximately two and half hours later, Deputy Brandon Gaede responded to the scene again after three more calls were made.  Deputy Gaede encountered a male outside of his house who denied setting off fireworks.  Deputy Gaede cleared the call but stayed in the area, believing that someone was exploding something stronger than commercial-grade fireworks.

At approximately 9:18 p.m., another call was received regarding explosives.  Since Deputy Gaede had remained in the area, he was immediately on scene and found the same male in his yard and smoking.  The male admitted to setting off explosives, not commercial-grade fireworks, which is a felony in the State of Kansas.  Deputy Gaede arrested the male and while placing handcuffs on the male, the male pulled out a concealed handgun and shot Deputy Gaede five times.  Deputy Gaede was able to return fire and killed the male suspect.  

Deputy Gaede was transported to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds less than an hour later.

An investigation revealed the suspect had more than 33 pounds of illegal explosive materials, over 20 firearms, and a stockpile of ammunition.

Deputy Gaede had served with the Phillips County Sheriff's Office for eight years. He is survived by his wife and three children.

As part of our "Plaques for Heroes" campaign, engraved slate memorial plaques were sent to the Phillips County Sheriff's Office and to Deputy Gaede's family at no cost to honor his service and his sacrifice to the community of Phillips County, Kansas. Our condolences to his family, his department and the community he served.