Phillips County is marking the first anniversary of the death of Undersheriff Brandon Gaede, killed a year ago during an attempted arrest tied to an illegal fireworks call. KSN-TV reports that the shooting happened while Gaede was responding to the call, when Colton Griffith pulled a gun and shot Gaede; Gaede returned fire. Griffith was pronounced dead at the scene, and Gaede later died from injuries.
Gaede had worked at the sheriff’s office for eight years and had recently been promoted to undersheriff. He is survived by his wife and three children. In remembrance efforts, the Phillips County Sheriff’s Office said the community and surrounding areas continued to grieve and received support from law enforcement agencies across Kansas during the recovery after the incident.
A memorial for Gaede and other officers who died in the line of duty was unveiled earlier this year in Phillipsburg’s town square. The inscription there honors those who gave their lives serving Phillips County. Gaede’s name was also etched into the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial earlier this year along with several other fallen Kansas officers.