joe kaluza Time line

March 24, 2008: Joe Kaluza is robbed and shot as he is driving to a bank to make a deposit from the restaurant he manages, Kentucky Fried Chicken on South Avenue. The wounds leave him paralyzed from the neck down.

March 28, 2008: Taran Helms, 23 at the time, and Hattie Gilbert, 20, are arrested in the robbery and shooting after police check vehicle databases and video from a Western Reserve Transit Authority bus.

Sept. 16, 2008: Trial begins for Helms and Gilbert in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court. Kaluza testifies on the first day as the first witness.

Sept. 23, 2008: Helms and Gilbert are each sentenced to 50 years in prison by Judge Timothy Franken. The 7th District Court of Appeals later cuts 17 years off the sentence of Helms.

Sept. 30, 2009: Ground is broken for a renovation of Kaluza’s Ivanhoe Avenue home to make it more accessible for his wheelchair. Several volunteers team up to make the project a reality.

Dec. 14, 2009: Kaluza moves into his renovated home.

Feb. 17, 2013: Kaluza’s wife of 27 years, Lisa, dies.

April 9, 2015: Kaluza dies at 49.