Stephen Branham. Photo courtesy of the Dayton Daily News.

Stephen Branham, 46, a beloved social worker in Dayton, Ohio who ran anger management classes for violent offenders, was murdered in September during a robbery attempt.

The Dayton Daily News ran this commentary on a Oct. 22 luncheon that honored Branham’s legacy. The luncheon brought a crowd of Branham’s family and friends as well as fellow social workers and law enforcement officers.

Mark Anthony Garrett, a former gang member who dodged death and later became a motivational speaker, said it was people such as Branham who helped him become the person he is today. Garrett and Branham were friends.

 “How did I make it to be 42 years old? Because people like Stephen Branham believed in me,” Garrett said.

A 21-year-old man was arrested and confessed to killing Branham. To read more, click here.