Jeremy Linot says he's not a hero, and doesn't want any recognition. What he did Monday morning as he tried to help 55 year old Jim Collins, he hopes somebody would do for him.

"I heard a pop. It sounded like a car backfiring," Linot says.

Linot works delivery for a local printing company. While on his route in the 500 block of South St. Francis Monday morning, he heard a gunshot, then a car speeding away.

When Linot rounded the corner, Collins lie in the middle of the street. He was shot and in critical condition.

"I ran out there," Linot says. "I'm trained as an EMT. I figured maybe there was something I could do to help."

Police say Collins, owner of Marquee Motorcars on East Douglas, was the victim of a botched robbery involving a former employee. Police arrested 18 year old Kendrin Littlejohn Monday morning, and 24 year old Shannon Bogguess later that afternoon. They say the two walked into Marquee Motors, kidnapped Collins in a stolen black Hummer, and drove him to the scene of the murder.

Bogguess is one of Collins' former employees. Police say he had an outstanding warrant for a probation violation, and a history of other robberies.

As Linot tried to help Collins, the black Hummer at the end of the street made a u-turn and began barreling back towards both men. Linot immediately began pulling Collins towards the curb, hoping to get him out of the path of the oncoming SUV. At the very last moment, Linot made a life-or-death decision.

"It was obvious they were veering straight towards us," he says. "I had no choice. I had to let go."

Linot jumped to the side, landing face-down in the dirt as the Hummer sped by. Police say it struck Collins. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

"He was such a nice neighbor," says Edith Knox.

Knox runs a business next door to Marquee Motors. She says the building was heavily damaged in a fire before Collins moved in and fixed up the shop several years ago. Knox says he was always kind and giving.

"From year to year, I volunteer for MDA," Knox says. "I had asked him for a donation once, and he was very generous. He was very quick in his response."

Family and friends are griefstricken over the loss of a man said to be a loving father and devoted husband. Friends say it was not uncommon for Collins to give to local charities. Collins was also involved in both his childrens' schools.

Police plan to present their case to the District Attorney later this week. Bogguess and Littlejohn each face charges of robbery, kidnapping and murder. Littlejohn is held on a $100,000 bond. Bogguess' is set at $200,000 because of his outstanding warrant.

Collins funeral is set for 11:00 Thursday morning at Chapel Hill Fellowship in East Wichita. He is survived by his wife, son and daughter.