A memorial now stands in the spot where Master Deputy Brandon Collins was hit and killed by a driver along Highway 69 on September 11.
“There was just something that came over me that said we have to do this we have to build this memorial," said Teri Atwell.
However, the Kansas Department of Transportation says the memorial the Atwells put up is unsafe.
"Well I imagine people are slowing down to look at the memorial and hopefully paying some type of passing tribute to our fallen deputy,” said Scott Atwell.
Scott Atwell is a retired detective for the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office and knew Deputy Collins. Atwell and his wife Teri Atwell decided to create the memorial to honor Deputy Collins.
“If they remove that memorial altogether it’s like losing Brandon all over again,” said Teri Atwell.
KDOT says the memorial is distracting drivers and is a hazard because it's in the right of way. KDOT is suggesting moving the memorial to a nearby fence.
“We will move it, we don’t have an issue with moving it, we have an issue with KDOT wanting it removed,” said Teri Atwell.
In the meantime, KDOT says the memorial will stand until a solution is found. The Atwells told 41 Action News that they were told the memorial had to be taken down by Monday.
There is an online petition to keep the memorial where it is now. One person commenting, "If this memorial grabs the attention of one driver and provokes thoughts of awareness to move over, yield to law enforcement and emergency vehicles, or to not drive drunk then it is worth it.
“I have every confidence that the memorial is going to stay,” said Atwell.
KDOT is planning on speaking with the people involved to find a solution.
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Ali Hoxie can be reached at ali.hoxie@kshb.com
