Latest news with #PhillipsCounty
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Yahoo
Deputy shot and killed, suspect killed in Phillipsburg fireworks call
Editor's note: This story has been updated to indicate the correct rank of the deputy killed, after the Sedgwick County Sheriff's office corrected its news release. PHILLIPSBURG, Kan. (KSNW) — A Kansas deputy and a suspect were both killed in a shooting Friday night in Phillipsburg. It happened around 9:30 p.m. at a home near 1st and E Street. Authorities say Phillips County Deputy Brandon Gaede was responding to a report of illegal fireworks and tried to arrest 27-year-old Colton Griffith. During the arrest, Griffith pulled a gun and shot Gaede. The deputy returned fire, killing Griffith at the scene. Gaede was taken to a hospital but died shortly after. One hurt in downtown Wichita shooting The Kansas Bureau of Investigation asked the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office to lead the independent investigation into the shooting. Detectives are reviewing witness accounts, medical reports, and physical evidence as they work to piece together the full timeline of events. The findings will be turned over to the Phillips County Attorney once the investigation is complete. A social media post from the Phillips County Sheriff's Office in July of 2024 said Brandon Gaede was promoted from Sergeant to Undersheriff, but he was again serving as a deputy at the time of his death. Gaede is reportedly survived by his wife and three children. Multiple law enforcement agencies shared condolences online, including departments from Garden City, Maize, Pottawatomie County, and others. In a statement, the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office called Gaede 'a devoted public servant, friend, and beloved family member' who gave his life in the line of duty while protecting the Phillipsburg community. On Saturday afternoon, local law enforcement lined the nearby streets and gathered at the Sedgwick County Regional Forensic Science Center to honor Deputy Brandon Gaede as his body arrived. 'As you saw in the procession, nearly every single municipality within Sedgwick County came together to honor this deputy,' said Deputy Branden Stitt, Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office. 'Even if you are fallen, you'll never be forgotten,' said Chief Joe Sullivan, Wichita Police Department. 'And this is just the very beginning of the support that this family, who is obviously devastated right now, will receive from law enforcement. It will not end with the funeral. It will continue forever.' To help support the family, Sedgwick County FOP Lodge #74 created a GoFundMe page. The Phillips County Sheriff says donations can be brought to The Farmer's State Bank in Phillipsburg or given to Karlye Gaede's Venmo account by clicking here. For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here. To watch our shows live on our website, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Yahoo
Why flags in Kansas will fly half-staff on Saturday, July 5
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly has directed flags be flown at half-staff on all state buildings, grounds, and facilities from sunrise to sunset on Saturday, July 5, 2025, in honor of Phillips County Sheriff's Deputy Brandon Gaede, who was killed in the line of duty on June 27. The flag-lowering directive reflects the state's mourning and recognition of his sacrifice. 'I am directing flags statewide be flown at half-staff to honor Phillips County Deputy Brandon Gaede, whose life was taken too soon while protecting his community,' Gov Kelly said. 'Each day, our law enforcement officers brave profound risks in service of their fellow Kansans. I extend my deepest condolences to Deputy Gaede's loved ones and community as they grieve this unimaginable loss.' Deputy Gaede will be remembered during the funeral scheduled on Saturday. The memorial will take place at 10:30 a.m. in the Huck Boyd Community Center, 860 Park Street, Phillipsburg, with Pastor Lee Bennight officiating. The service will be streamed live on the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel Facebook page. Burial will follow in Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery, 576 W. Osage Road, Stuttgart. For members of the public attending funeral services, parking will be available at Phillipsburg High School, located at 410 S. 7th Street. Buses will be available to transport attendees to the Huck Boyd Community Center. Parking for first responders will be available along Park Street near the community center. For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here. To watch our shows live on our website, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Yahoo
Phillips County deputy's death linked to larger explosive materials investigation
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – The Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office has released new information in the investigation of the deaths of Phillips County Sheriff's Deputy Brandon Gaede and suspect Kolton Griffith. The office has now linked the shooting to a larger explosives investigation. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation asked the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office to lead the independent investigation into the shooting. For the past several days, the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office has processed the scene, conducted interviews, and collected evidence. The office also began working on the events that led to the shooting of Deputy Gaede, which they released on Thursday. First responders honor fallen Phillipsburg deputy; convoy brings him home At approximately 6:02 p.m. on Friday, June 27, the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office says that the Phillips County Sheriff's Office received its first report of an explosion near 1st and E Streets. The responding deputy, who wasn't named, was initially unable to locate the source and cleared the area, believing fireworks may have caused the noise. Around 8:31 p.m., 911 dispatchers received three more calls reporting loud booms in the same area. Deputy Gaede responded and began searching for the source. He contacted Griffith, who lived at 899 1st Street. Griffith denied involvement in the detonations, and Deputy Gaede cleared the call around 8:48 p.m. However, Deputy Gade remained nearby and began looking into Kansas statutes related to the criminal use of explosives, believing the explosions were not commercial-grade fireworks. At 9:18 p.m., another report of an explosion was received from the same area. Deputy Gaede, who was still nearby, observed smoke and made contact with Griffith, who was standing in his front yard. Griffith admitted setting off the explosive device, stating he intended to provoke one of the citizens who had reported the previous explosion. Determining that Griffith had violated state law regarding the criminal use of explosives, Deputy Gaede attempted to arrest him. After securing one handcuff on Griffith's left wrist, Griffith resisted, turned away, and drew a concealed revolver from his waistband. He fired five rounds, critically wounding Deputy his injuries, Deputy Gaede returned fire, discharging eight rounds and killing Griffith. A backup deputy arrived within seconds and began life-saving efforts. Deputy Gaede was transported to a local hospital, where he died shortly after arrival. Outpouring of support fills streets as Phillipsburg honors fallen deputy Brandon Gaede As part of the ongoing investigation, the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office said detectives obtained a search warrant for Griffith's home. The Kansas Highway Patrol Hazardous Devices Unit assisted with the search, which uncovered more than 33 pounds of explosive materials, including ammonium perchlorate, ammonium nitrate, and commercial blasting caps. Investigators also recovered over 20 firearms and a large stockpile of ammunition. The Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office states that the investigation is ongoing, and upon its completion, the case will be submitted to the Phillips County Attorney for review. A GoFundMe has been set up for Gaede's wife and three children. Donations are also being accepted through Venmo and The Farmer's State Bank in Phillipsburg. The Phillips County Sheriff's Office is in the process of setting up its own fundraising initiative for Gaede's family. Gaede's funeral is scheduled for Saturday. The memorial will take place at 10:30 a.m. at the Huck Boyd Community Center, located at 860 Park Street, Phillipsburg. The service will be streamed live on the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel Facebook page. Burial will follow in Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery, 576 W. Osage Road, Stuttgart. For members of the public attending funeral services, parking will be available at Phillipsburg High School, located at 410 S. 7th Street. Buses will be available to transport attendees to the Huck Boyd Community Center. Parking for first responders will be available along Park Street near the community center. For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here. To watch our shows live on our website, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- Yahoo
Illegal fireworks call triggers gunfire, death of Kansas deputy and suspect
An exchange of gunfire erupted late June 27 as a north-central Kansas sheriff's deputy tried to handcuff a man suspected of using illegal fireworks. Both were fatally shot. Killed were Phillips County Deputy Brandon Gaede, 30, and Phillipsburg resident Kolton Griffith, 27, said a news release posted on the website of the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office. That office was investigating at the request of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. Phillips County is located just south of the Kansas/Nebraska border. Phillipsburg has a population of 2,337, according to 2020 census figures. Gaede responded to Griffith's home after the Phillips County Sheriff's Office received a report about 9:30 p.m. that illegal, non-consumer grade fireworks were being detonated there, the news release said. Gaede determined Griffith had broken the law, the release said. "As the deputy attempted to place Griffith in handcuffs, a struggle broke out," it said. "Griffith pulled a concealed handgun and opened fire on the deputy. Despite being struck by gunfire, the deputy returned fire and hit Griffith multiple times." Griffith died at the scene. Gaede was taken to a Phillipsburg hospital, where he was pronounced deceased at 10:24 p.m., the news release said. Circumstances involved remained under investigation. Contact Tim Hrenchir at threnchir@ or 785-213-5934. This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas deputy, suspect die in exchange of gunfire after fireworks call
