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Social worker's slaying strips agency of its 'rock,' 'backbone'

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Location of homicide of Steve Branham in the 4300 block of Springcreek Drive in the Barrington Apartment complex, Harrison Twp.

Staff Photo by Jim Witmer Location of homicide of Steve Branham in the 4300 block of Springcreek Drive in the Barrington Apartment complex, Harrison Twp.

By Margo Rutledge Kissell and Steve Bennish
Staff Writers Updated 7:36 AM Wednesday, September 9, 2009

HARRISON TWP., Montgomery County — Stephen L. Branham, the man shot to death about midnight Sunday, Sept. 6, in the parking lot of his apartment complex, was a social worker who facilitated classes on anger management for violent offenders.

“We are just shocked here. He was a wonderful, compassionate social worker,” said Bonnie Parrish, executive director of the Family Service Association, where Branham was employed.

“He was our rock. He was the backbone of so many of our programs and our outreach activities,” she said. “Anyone who met him just admired him for who he was and his dedication.”

Branham, 46, facilitated anger management classes with teens on probation and other youth on Dayton’s east side, as well as adult perpetrators of domestic violence.

“Doesn’t it seem like a strange stroke of fate he died violently?” said Joanne Hale, director of the Montgomery County Sunrise Center where Branham facilitated classes weekly. “The very thing he was trying to deal with the kids about he became a victim of.”

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the shooting outside the Barrington Apartments, in the 4300 block of Springcreek Drive near Riverside Drive. Law officers were alerted through a 911 emergency call reporting that shots were being fired. An autopsy was performed Tuesday, Sept. 8.

Amy Clanton, Branham’s supervisor at the Family Service Association, said he worked there since April 2006 and his nonjudgmental attitude helped him connect with people.

“Stephen had the ability to get along with anyone and everyone,” she said.

Melanie Lowe, a therapist at Family Service Association, said, “such a violent death was shocking especially for someone dedicated to cleaning up the community. He was an upstanding person.”

Lowe said agency employees are hoping the death has no connection to court-referred clients Branham worked with trying “to get them to handle their anger more appropriately.”

She added: “He tirelessly worked for his community. All his extra time was about helping others.”

Clanton said Branham also was involved in the day-to-day operations of the Family First Enrichment Center, 502 E. Main St. in Trotwood, a child care and adoption/foster care agency he founded a few years ago.

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