Takoda was a very talented, kind hearted, caring, and amazing young man who was just begining to experience life. When Takoda was about 9 or 10,  we had a elderly neighbor, and it had snowed. He came in the house and said "mom I need the snow shovel, I am going to scoop the sidewalk for Vera, she doesn't need to scoop it herself and I don't want her to fall". He then proceeded to go scoop Vera's sidewalk for her, and wouldn't take any money for it. Takoda also would see elderly people in the parking lot at walmart and would help them with their groceries and then would take their electric carts back in for them, so they didn't have to walk back out to their vehicles.Takoda was a protector. He always protected those that he loved, especially two of his sisters, Shavaun and Katelynn. He had started College, and met many new friends. Takoda wanted to become a Paramedic. Takoda would tell me " You have always been my hero, and one of these days I am going to be yours". He always made me so proud of him. Takoda had talked to me the day before he was killed about this friend who he thought had a drinking problem, and we discussed it, and I said to him "promise me you are not getting in a vehicle with him if he has been drinking" . Takoda reaponded with "You know I wouldn't do that, I would never ride with anyone who has been drinking". I then dropped him off at the college dorm. His very last words to me were "don't worry mom, I love you". Takoda was always there for anyone who needed someone to listen to them, or a shoulder to cry on, or just someone to talk to. Takoda was the passenger in a car that was being driven by someone he had met at college. The "friend" he was with was drunk. I have no idea if Takoda even knew the "friend" had been drinking. The friend was also driving very wrecklessly. The choices that this person who was supposed to be Takoda's "friend" Made,  ultimately ended Takoda's life, and completley changed the life of all of those who love him. Takoda had his whole life ahead of him, but will never get to achieve any of his dreams. He will never be able to get married and have a family or a career as a paramedic. Takoda is so deeply missed by his family, our hearts still break all the time because now Takoda is missing from our lives every day. There is still a fire burning inside of us to fight for the justice that Takoda deserves.