CONCORD, N.H. (AP) – A plan to name part of a highway after fallen Franconia Cpl. Bruce McKay is far from a done deal at the Statehouse.

Lawmakers heard from a mix of supporters and opponents Thursday as they considered a bill to name part of Interstate 93 in Franconia Notch after McKay, who was shot to death during a traffic stop in May. The shooter, Liko Kenney, 24, was then killed by a passer-by.

The incident divided the town. On one side are those who believe McKay should be honored. On the other are those who believe the officer pushed Kenney to the breaking point with aggressive police tactics.

Some who opposed the bill urged lawmakers to set the bill aside for at least a few more months. Kenney’s sister-in-law, Beth Towle Kenney, described the bill as “a stab in the back.”

“It’s not going to encourage healing,” she said.

But McKay’s fiancee, Sharon Davis-McKay, told lawmakers that the stretch of highway around Cannon Mountain and Echo Lake were McKay’s favorite and part of his regular patrol route.

“He should always be remembered as a father and protector of community life,” she said.

Paul White, a member of the Easton board of selectmen, opposed the bill. Death in the line of duty as a police officer, he said, “Does not give the automatic right to a memorial of any kind.”