On December 28, 2004, life changed drastically. I’ll never forget that “First 48” knock on the door, in the wee hours of the morning, telling me that my brother/best friend Troy had been shot and killed by someone we all knew. Detectives called it an “overkill”, a finishing shot, in the courtroom as details came forward of Troy’ death. He was shot once in the shoulder as his back was turned to his shooter, then once in the stomach as he stood over him. Both shoots pierced all his major organs, killing him instantly.
Polo T, as he was known to friends, was the most loving, kind, tenderhearted person you could ever met. He has this distinctive laugh; you knew it was him without even seeing his face. He was an amazing son, brother, uncle, grandson, cousin, friend, and most importantly, father of two loving kids, Ashley & Lil Troy. The aftermath of gun violence is real; the damage it leaves is sometimes unbearable. As an active member of Moms Demand Action/ Everytown Fellowship, I vow to keep Troy’s memory alive by fighting to change gun laws and raise awareness.