Shooting Victim's Family: Community 'Lightened The Burden' In Letter

CENTENNIAL, Colo. (CBS4) - The family of Ken Atkinson, the man who was killed after he rushed to save his neighbor who was allegedly shot by her husband, has released a letter of thanks to the community.

The letter was made public on Wednesday:

Dear Homestead Farm II Family,

For 26 years we have lived in this, the BEST neighborhood, and the response to the April 4 tragedy is simply more evidence of that. You have overwhelmed our family with your generous acts of kindness and support; cards and messages with memories of Ken, beautiful flowers, the memorial to him in our yard, flamingoes to remind us you are with us, your presence at Ken's service, meals, donations to the Kendall & Taylor Atkinson Foundation in Ken's memory and offers of help with house and yard. The candlelight vigil with the "We love Dr. A." lights on a neighbor's house and the message of comfort and hope expressed was extraordinarily moving.

You have lightened the burden for our family and shared our brokenness. We can never thank you enough. I am proud and grateful to live here. Some of you knew Ken as your personal physician, some as a friend, some just as my husband-the yin to my yang-some not at all. He was good and kind and cared. He would be, as we are, overwhelmed and humbled by all that you have done. Thank you.

Gratefully,

Jeanne Atkinson, Allison and Whitney

Atkinson was allegedly shot by Kevin Lyons in his Centennial neighborhood on April 4. Lyons is accused of first shooting his wife then turning the gun on two of his neighbors, injuring one and killing Atkinson.

Lyons appeared in Arapahoe County Court on Monday where the judge ordered a competency evaluation for him.