Harry Potter: Every Order Of The Phoenix Member Ranked
5. Sirius Black
After Sirius' best friends became the main target of Lord Voldemort during the first wizarding world, and Peter betrayed them, it was Sirius himself that was framed and spent 12 years in Azkaban. This could have turned any wizard insane, but Padfoot escaped with his sanity and eventually reconciled with his friends and godson.
When Voldemort returned, Sirius was entrusted by Dumbledore with the task of getting the Order back together again. Though he was limited somewhat in his movement due to still being wanted by Azkaban, the Marauder was still able to set up HQ at Grimmauld Place, and help lead the team.
Sirius was the closest thing Harry Potter ever had to a real family, and he died while protecting his godson in the Battle of the Department of Mysteries.
He was a great asset to the Order in both its iterations, but if it wasn't for his suggestion that Peter become the Potters' secret keeper, they may have survived. Sirius himself was Lily and James' choice, but he suggested to use Peter, since he would be a less obvious choice for Voldemort to figure out. Sirius himself said he would have died before giving up Lily and James, so maybe he should have just been their secret keeper all along.