Arizona veterans and their supporters are mourning the loss of beloved VFW Post Commander Stephen Franklin.
“I am deeply saddened by the passing of Post Commander Stephen Franklin of Sandy Coor Post 1433 (@vfw1433),” tweeted Arizona State Speaker of the House Steve Montenegro. “His unwavering dedication to our veterans and community was an inspiration to all who knew him. My prayers are with his family, friends, and the members of Post 1433.”
I am deeply saddened by the passing of Post Commander Stephen Franklin of Sandy Coor Post 1433 (@vfw1433). His unwavering dedication to our veterans and community was an inspiration to all who knew him. My prayers are with his family, friends, and the members of Post 1433.
— Steve Montenegro (@SteveMontenegro) January 18, 2025
“Stephen was a community champion who helped countless veterans,” said Glendale Mayor Jerry Weiers on Facebook. “He had a huge heart and will be dearly missed by all. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to be his friend.”
According to the Phoenix Police Department, just before 4:00 p.m., on January 15, officers responded to a collision involving Franklin’s motorcycle and an SUV that occurred at 2200 West Indian School Road. The 55-year-old Franklin was taken to the hospital with critical life-threatening injuries. While being provided treatment at the hospital, he was not able to overcome his injuries and died.
Detectives learned that Franklin was driving east on Indian School Road when an adult female driver pulled out of a private drive striking him. The driver of the SUV stayed on scene and did not show any indications of being under the influence.
Franklin served the VFW for many years and served as Post 1433 Commander and in 2024 was awarded Service Officer of the Year for Department of Arizona VFW.
Franklin, a Marine, has most recently served as Vice-Chair of Mayor Weiers’ “Triple M” Committee, an organization dedicated to military and veterans’ issues in the west valley.
On February 1, Triple M will be breaking ground on the Veterans’ Village situated right next to the Sandy Coor VFW Post 1433. The Veterans’ Village is a tiny transitional home community for up to 50 veterans who are struggling to find housing. Veterans will receive a multitude of services designed to help them “get back on their feet.”
When interviewed about the Village, Franklin told ABC15, that it “would be an honor to give back to the 50 veterans next door.”
“I’m one of those veterans that struggled with finding a house and things of that nature. I was disabled when I got out,” Franklin told ABC15 in January 2024. “Our motto here is, ‘nobody does more for veterans than veterans.’ And this gives us the opportunity to branch out and do more service work for them.”
“That is who Stephen was,” one veteran told the Arizona Daily Independent. “He was always ready to lend a hand and an ear. It sure would be nice if we could name the Village after him. Camp Franklin has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?”