15 years after a trooper sacrificed his life for his job, the state is honoring him.

Friday, a highway was named in honor of Trooper Johnny Adkins of Martin County.

Tyler Adkins lost his father when he was nine years old.

“He was always at basketball practice, whatever I had going on, he was always there. I didn't see him as a trooper but as a father as well,” Tyler Adkins, Trooper Adkins’ son, said.

Trooper Johnny Adkins was killed on duty in November, 1995. He died from injuries suffered while trying to arrest a suspect in Martin County.

“A young person tragically taken too soon,” Lt. Merrell Harrison said.

Lt. Merrell Harrison worked with Trooper Adkins and says he died doing the job he loved.

“Johnny was a great trooper. He was a very good worker, very dedicated to the Kentucky State Police and the community he lived in here in Martin County,” Lt. Harrison said.

“My mom told me he wanted to uphold the law and protect us and the rest of his friends and family, when you do that, I think you have to have a great love for it,” Tyler said.

15 years after his death, the commonwealth is honoring him. Route 3 in Martin County, a road Trooper Adkins frequently patrolled on, is re-named the Trooper Johnny Adkins Memorial Highway.

Officials say now future generations will always know Trooper Adkins gave his life to protect the community.

The Trooper Johnny Adkins Memorial Highway runs from the Johnson-Martin County line to the Lawrence-Martin County line.