My friend was murdered last week. Emmanuel Franco was only 21 years old when he was allegedly killed by a drunk driver Dec. 29 at South 320th Street and Pacific Highway South.

While all drunken driving deaths are preventable — don’t drink and drive — this was especially tragic. Not because the drunk was on the road despite repeated arrests for a variety of reasons; it was horrible because of who Emmanuel Franco was, and will continue to be in our memories.

I’ve worked with Emmanuel at Horizon Air for the past three years. We were “work friends.” I didn’t socialize with him away from the C Concourse at Seatac airport; I’m old enough to be his father. But we worked side by side and I saw him work to get his education and begin his job search in his chosen field, the medical profession. Emmanuel had a smile that made you smile. He was pretty quiet, but when the time came, he could crack you up with his sense of humor. He was frustrated looking for a job, as many newly graduated students are. They see the jobs but lack the experience to get them and ask themselves “how can I get experience without getting the job?”

But he won’t ever get the chance to put his talents to work because someone got drunk and didn’t think to let someone else drive or take a cab.

I went to the corner where this took place (right smack dab in the middle of “downtown” Federal Way) and looked at the flowers and cards and notes and balloons. I get sad and angry whenever I see this happen to anyone, but I am feeling (along with all of our small Horizon family) empty knowing that “E” won’t be sitting next to me between flights looking at the future. He has none. He was 21. Rest in peace, bud!

Jeff Shaw, Auburn