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Session of 2026
SENATE BILL No. 312
By Senators Billinger and Bowers
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AN ACT concerning roads and highways; designating a portion of U.S.
highway 36 as the deputy sheriff Brandon Gaede memorial highway.
WHEREAS, Brandon Pierce Gaede was born on April 28, 1995, in
Colby, Kansas; and
WHEREAS, Brandon was raised in Colby, Kansas, and graduated in
2013 from Colby high school, where he participated in football, wrestling
and track; and
WHEREAS, Immediately following graduation, Brandon began his
career in law enforcement, working for the Thomas county sheriff's office;
and
WHEREAS, Brandon also attended Colby community college where
he studied criminal justice and graduated with an associate of science
degree in 2015; and
WHEREAS, Brandon began working as a sheriff's deputy in Phillips
County in 2017 and attended the Kansas law enforcement training center
(KLETC), where he was the president of the 247th basic training class; and
WHEREAS, Brandon was a field training officer (FTO) and a drone
operator for the Phillips county sheriff's office. He was promoted to
sergeant in 2023 and to undersheriff in 2024; and
WHEREAS, Brandon met the love of his life, Karlye Stephen, while
working at Phillips county. Brandon and Karlye were married on October
20, 2020, and welcomed three children: Axel, Otto and Emilie; and
WHEREAS, Brandon was called and responded to a report concerning
use of illegal explosives on June 27, 2025; and
WHEREAS, While attempting to arrest the suspect, the suspect drew a
concealed revolver and fired the weapon, critically wounding Brandon;
and
WHEREAS, Despite his injuries, Brandon returned fire, thus subduing
the suspect; and
WHEREAS, Brandon passed away later that same day as a result of the
injuries that he sustained in the arrest; and
WHEREAS, Brandon was honored as the 2025 sheriff's deputy of the
year by the Kansas sheriff's association; and
WHEREAS, Brandon will always be remembered for being a genuine,
one-of-a-kind person. He is a true hero, and his legacy will live on in his
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family and community.
Now, therefore:
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Kansas:
Section 1. The portion of U.S. highway 36 from the eastern city limits
of Phillipsburg, then west on U.S. highway 36 to the western city limits of
Phillipsburg in Phillips county, is hereby designated as the deputy sheriff
Brandon Gaede memorial highway. Upon compliance with K.S.A. 68-
10,114, and amendments thereto, the secretary of transportation shall place
suitable signs along the highway right-of-way at proper intervals to
indicate that the highway is the deputy sheriff Brandon Gaede memorial
highway.
Sec. 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its
publication in the statute book.
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