KANSAS — Kansans lined the highways and rural roads Tuesday afternoon to honor Phillips County Sheriff’s Deputy Brandon Gaede, who was tragically killed in the line of duty Friday night while responding to a fireworks-related call in Phillipsburg.
Deputy Gaede was escorted from a forensic science center in Wichita back to his hometown of Phillipsburg. The solemn procession included a strong presence from law enforcement agencies across the state—motorcycles, SUVs, cruisers, and even a helicopter from the Kansas Highway Patrol were part of the escort.
First responders stood in salute from overpasses, exit ramps, and medians, with flags raised high in a display of respect and unity. Firefighters, law enforcement, and citizens alike paused from their routines to pay tribute.
In Salina, firefighters and police officers gathered on the Crawford Street overpass, where they raised a large American flag and stood at attention as the procession passed beneath them. Citizens gathered nearby on the Magnolia overpass, on exit ramps, and on roadside shoulders—many holding flags, all standing silently in honor of a life lost too soon.
Traffic in the opposite direction came to a respectful stop along stretches of the route, a quiet acknowledgment of the gravity of the moment.
The escort’s final destination was the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel in Phillipsburg, where Deputy Gaede will be laid to rest.
Salina311 extends condolences to the Gaede family, the Phillips County Sheriff’s Office, and all who serve.
