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In 1978, then 15-year-old Tim Streett was shoveling snow with his dad at their home in Indianapolis’ Oaklandon neighborhood, when the two were robbed at gunpoint.  Streett remembers watching his father fall backward, after being shot in the chest. The gunman then turned the weapon toward him and demanded money.  After giving his attacker what he wanted, Streett watched the shooter escape in a getaway car.  For years Streett suffered intense hatred and sadness.

Driving the getaway car was Don Cox, a low-income teenager, undereducated, and confused by street culture.  At the time of the crime, Cox had no idea the robbery would end in murder, especially no idea that it would lead to a potential lifetime in prison.

Over the years, Streett’s Christian faith convinced him that he needed to forgive those involved in his father’s murder. He wrote two letters—one to the triggerman (who was on death row and never wrote back) and one to Cox. Cox wrote back, and Streett decided to visit him in prison.  The two men visited at length, and Streett began to understand that Cox was not a “bad person,” but had simply performed a “bad act.”  Cox expressed sincere regret for his involvement as the driver of the getaway vehicle.  

Eventually the two men became friends, and Streett actually advocated for Cox’s early release, which liberated him from more than 50 additional years in prison.

Upon release, Cox made a commitment to himself to never give anybody a reason to put him back in prison.  “Doing bad is not even an option,” he says.  After unsuccessfully applying for numerous jobs, he finally received his second chance. He has tried hard to make the most of it, slowly gaining more responsibilities, providing for his family. He has also deepened his relationship with Streett, who now serves as the executive director of Jireh Sports, an outreach to inner-city youth.