On December 4, 2005, one day after his 38th birthday, Johnny H. Brown II was senselessly shot by an unknown gunman as he walked up the driveway of a friend’s home. Johnny was forever giving to and helping others, according to his mother, Wanda. At the time of his death, Johnny was caring for three young boys who had been fatherless since birth. His mother donated his corneas and tissue.

Johnny had been a Code Enforcement & Mobile Assistance Officer for the City of Inglewood, which offered, in conjunction with the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, a $60,000 reward for the apprehension and conviction of the murderer. Despite this reward, and the fact that Wanda produced a local cable TV program on violence in their community and possible solutions, the murderer was never caught.