GAINESVILLE, Ga. — Six days after Coweta County sheriff's deputy Eric Minix was hit and killed at the end of a pursuit that crossed into Alabama, communities around metro Atlanta are continuing to honor the fallen deputy.
RELATED: Loved ones gather to honor, remember Coweta County Deputy killed in line of duty
Fourteen-year-old Andrew Collinson is part of the pack remembering Minix.
Instead of flowers, Collinson, with Running 4 Heroes, decided to put together a one-mile run on Wednesday night outside Mill Mundy Academy along Millside Parkway in Gainesville. Running 4 Heroes honors fallen first responders all across the country who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
But Collinson wasn't the only one who showed up to go the distance. Coweta County deputies drove nearly two hours to run alongside him to honor not just their brother in blue -- but also their friend.
"I feel honored for them being here," Collinson said.
Deputy Minix was pursuing a driver inside a car that was reported stolen along I-85 southbound last week. The pursuit continued through several counties until it crossed into Alabama, where authorities had laid out spike strips on the interstate.
Once the vehicle stopped, Deputy Minix got out of his patrol vehicle and started to give the driver demands. Alabama authorities said an officer who arrived on the scene to assist hit Minix, who was standing outside his driver's door. Deputy Minix was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he died from his injuries.
Coweta County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Toby Nix said Minix was just over at his home for Christmas.
"It doesn't feel real yet," Nix said. "It's been a horrible week."
But Collinson was hoping to bring a little light in the midst of the darkness to the men and women inside the Coweta County Sheriff's Office.
On Wednesday night, with temperatures in the mid-forties, he carried the 'Thin Blue Line' flag as he, along with several Coweta County deputies, ran a mile. They were escorted by the Coweta County Sheriff's Office, Gainesville Police, Hall County Fire and Rescue and Coweta County Fire and Rescue.
"It just seems amazing they'll do anything to see me run for their fallen comrade," Collinson explained.
Sgt. Nix said they're just as amazed with this young man's actions.
"The fact someone who doesn't know our agency, and is nearly two hours away is willing to do this, it shows the legacy that Eric will have left," he said.
A deputy who so many say was truly an amazing person.
This run marked Collinson's 45th mile since becoming a youth runner with Running 4 Heroes just over a year ago.
Running 4 Heroes was founded in 2019 by 10-year-old Zechariah Cartledge. Since then, other kids have joined the cause and grown the organization.
With the run on Wednesday night for Deputy Minix, youth runners with Running 4 Heroes have run a total of 1,668 miles.
