Kansas law enforcement agencies escort fallen deputy Brandon Gaede to Sedgwick County

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – Law enforcement agencies are continuing to honor and remember fallen deputy Brandon Gaede, who was killed in the line of duty Friday night in Phillipsburg, Ks.

Gaede served as a deputy with the Phillips County Sheriff’s Office. He was killed in an officer-involved shooting after responding to a report of illegal fireworks being shot off.

On Saturday, first responders from across Kansas escorted Gaede’s body from Phillips County to Wichita where an autopsy will be conducted. Honor guards lined the streets outside the Sedgwick County Regional Forensic Science Unit where they stood in tribute for the fallen deputy.

“Even if you are fallen, you will never be forgotten,” said Wichita Police Chief Joe Sullivan. “This is just the very beginning of the support that this family, who is obviously devested right now, will receive from law enforcement. It will not end with the funeral. It will continue forever.”

The deadly shooting happened around 9:30 p.m. on June 27 after deputies responded to a fireworks complaint at 899 1st Street.

27-year-old Kolton Griffith was identified as the individual responsible. Gaede determined there was probably cause to arrest Griffith, but when he attempted to put Griffith in handcuffs, a struggle ensued, and Griffith pulled out a concealed handgun and shot Gaede.

Gaede, though struck by gunfire, returned fire and shot Griffith multiple times, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

Gaede was taken to the hospital, but despite life-saving efforts, he died at 10:24 p.m.

Sedgwick County is now leading the investigation after a request from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation due to a conflict of interest. A KBI employee is a family member of one of the parties involved.

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