Sheriff Brixey was killed attempting to question a man about a theft of some horses. Sheriff Brixey had gone to Niangua to investigate the theft of a team of horses. When he attempted to question an Edgar Bartlett and became embroiled in a heated argument. When he attempted to speak to the man later in the day the man ran to his house. When Sheriff Brixey followed him onto the front porch, Bartlett, who had armed himself with a shotgun obtained from the residence, shot Sheriff Brixey. Sheriff Brixey was struck in the neck severing his jugular vein and died instantly.

Deputy sheriffs traveled to Niangua and arrested Bartlett. A mob began to form and the deputies rushed Bartlett to Springfield, Missouri.

Sheriff Brixey was survived by his wife, son, and daughter. Interred: Brixey Cemetery, Seymore, Missouri.