Medford, Ore. –Neighbors of Stephen McMilon, the man killed by police Sunday in southwest Medford, say he was a kind man but troubled. He was a Desert Storm veteran, who according to those who knew him,suffered from post traumatic stress disorder.
According to neighbors of 52 year old McMilon, he had recently moved in to a small cottage on Chestnut Street,but he was far from a stranger.
“I’ve known him most of my life. He’s not a bad guy, he was a kind guy,” said Amber Brotten, who has known McMilon for nearly a decade.
She considered McMilon like family.
“He was like a second grandpa to me.I used to go back there and talk with him, he would bring me and my two cousins candy all the time, and he was just the sweetest man,” said McMilon.
According to neighbors and McMilon’s Facebook page, he served in the military.
“He was a sergeant in the marines,” said Brotten.
Friends called him Sarge for short.
Police say the McMillon was no stranger to them either. According to court records,in 2003 he was arrested for carrying and use of a dangerous weapon, and recklessly endangering another person. The case was later dismissed.
But neighbors and Brotten all said he would never intentionally hurt anyone.
“He was the most kindest person,” said Brotten.
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