A fallen Johnson County Sheriff's deputy will be laid to rest Saturday.
As the sun rose Saturday morning, the community came out to give Master Deputy Brandon Collins a final farewell.
It comes almost a week after a suspected drunk driver hit and killed Collins while he conducted a traffic stop.
His neighbor planted American flags near the Penwell-Gabel funeral home on 143rd and Black Bob Road where a funeral procession began shortly after 7:30 a.m.
Funeral procession underway for @JOCOSHERIFF Master Deputy Brandon Collins pic.twitter.com/wcNeCKJCcN
— Andres Gutierrez (@AFGutierrez) September 17, 2016
Multiple Kansas law enforcement agencies traveled south to 151st Street before making it onto U.S. 169 Highway to the Oklahoma state line. From there they're traveling south towards Tulsa and west to Oilton, where Collins hailed from.
Related: Friends build memorial for fallen Johnson County deputy
Services were at 2 p.m. at Oilton High School. Collins will be interred at Highland Cemetery.
Some families used the moment to teach.
The Riney's brought their 3-year-old daughter, Ellie, to watch the procession head toward Collins’ hometown of Oilton, Oklahoma.
"It's all about the word respect. I think we owe a lot of our officers and the individuals who serve us a lot of care and respect and this is about showing her how to see what respect is," Danielle Riney, Ellie's mother said.
Along the more than two hundred mile journey, tributes pierced through the dense fog.
Johnson County Fire District No. 2 hoisted an American flag over the bridge on 233rd street and US 169.
The salute from firefighters to their brothers in blue brought Shannon Bartels to tears.
"It is heartbreaking for the loss for my husband and all his colleagues but a wonderful tribute," Bartels said.
Her husband and Collins began working for the sheriff's office six months apart.
"That's what we're going to remember--is the love and fun he made with work, he took it serious but he made sure we all had a smile on our face," Deputy Sheriff Chad Bartels said.
Looking back at memories on a day in which a hero heads home.
"We'll never forget Brandon. We'll never forget the ultimate sacrifice that he made. We'll always remember him," Deputy Sheriff Bartels said.
Through the fog @JCFDNo2 hoisted an American flag to honor @JOCOSHERIFF Master Deputy Collins as he heads home. #RIP pic.twitter.com/e4eKBGGmlO
— Andres Gutierrez (@AFGutierrez) September 17, 2016
On Thursday, thousands of law enforcement officers gathered at his funeral in Olathe.
Collins was 44. He leaves behind a wife and two daughters.
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Andres Gutierrez can be reached at andres.gutierrez@kshb.com
