American Morning
Officer who shot college student honored
(CNN) - An award given to an officer who fatally shot a Pace University football player last year is "obviously offensive," an attorney representing the youth's parents said Wednesday. "It's a disgrace," Michael Sussman told reporters. "What concerns me is it sends a message of blatant disregard." Officer Aaron Hess was named Officer of the Year by the Police Benevolent Association in Pleasantville, New York, last week, according to CNN affiliate WCVB. Hess shot Danroy "D.J." Henry, 20, of Easton, Massachusetts, early on October 17 outside a bar at a shopping center in Thornwood, New York. On February 14, a Westchester County, NY Grand Jury cleared two police officers of criminal responsibility in the death. On American Morning, Danroy and Angella Henry said they will accept nothing less than a murder indictment against the police officer implicated in the shooting death of their son in October. Do you think it's appropriate that the officer is being honored? Let us know here. Kiran and Christine will read your responses on air.
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I refuse to believe that he was leaving the bar sober...especially after a celebtration...and a brawl. So...if driving under the influence is not a criminal act than I don't know what is. Especially when we all know someone to the 6th degree who was killed by a drunk driver. But since everyone believes he wasn't drunk and that's a cover up also it's lose lose. It didn't matter if he had a gun. A car can be used as a deadly weapon. Deadly force is responded to with deadly force. There is no way to make this terrible situation right, but I still believe that the officer, also a Marine who served our country ( who MOST DEFINATELY knows about parents burying children and is going to live with what he did in this incident for the rest of his life) should not be reprimanded. Put the race card back in your pockets, it's getting ridiculous. Don't drink and drive and most importantly never try to flee from a scene and expect different results.
For this "officer" to be rewarded for murdering DJ Henry amounts to nothing more than the continuous assault on his family and his character. Aaron Hess violated department policy by placing himself at grave risk that evening by jumping in front of a moving vehicle when he had no right to do so. Pictures of the vehicle show no damage consistent with striking this officer at any rate of speed, nor were his injuries consistent with being hit by a car. People need to understand that this cop was wrong, his actions resulted in the death of DJ Henry. This award seeks only to perpetuate the cavalier atmosphere and condones unlawful, abhorrent behavior. Just because someone wears a badge doesn't mean that their actions cannot be questioned. Police officers are not infallible, nor should there be a cover-up whenever one commits a crime while on duty. This behavior cannot be rewarded–the union is just as guilty even though they weren't the ones who pulled the trigger.
I guess I don't understand what exactly happened? Did he hit the officer with his car or not?? Is the family saying he didn't hit the officer and accelerate toward another officer?? I can only assume that is what they are saying for them to think the officer shouldn't have shot at him??
Because I can't imagine anyone would actually think they could drive their car into police officers and not stop when told to (and then not get shot??)
If he did do what the police say he did, what should the police officers do let him run them over?? This just doesn't make sense, the parents must think their son didn't do it??.
I understand that police officer risk their lives everyday, but in this situation this was not a career criminal or a mad man with a gun. This was an honor student who was doing the right thing by going to college and getting an eduation. Many people intentionally or unintentionally apply sterotypes to people because of perceptions people have. I am tried of officers appoarching every situation the same. Not everyone is a criminal. Not everyone is doing something bad. I don't think people should do a job that risks your life if you are so afraid that you will be hurt or die. I can say that because my job sometime asks me to risk my life. I choose my job. I think the officer who got this award should apologize publicly to the family and ask for forgiveness. No parent should out live their child. No Parent!
Why isnt there any details as to why the officer shot the student, was the officer in the right? was he defending his life and/or the life of others? I did here them say the officer was seriously injured in the incident. If this officer put his life on the line and it was in defense of himself or others then the officer needs to be honored, but if it was a careless or use of excessive force then the officer needs reprimanded and possibly charged, but I find the story suspect, they said the officer was cleared in a grand jury of any wrong doing, so I would have to rule in favor of the officer and congratulate him on his service.
These people have no remorse for killing my teammate and friend. They continue to spit our faces by honoring and awarding a murderer with Officer of the year. As upsetting as it is we expect nothing less from people who have been working to cover up the murder of an unarmed innocent student athlete.
I feel as though this is an ongoing phenomenon where Law enforcement not only devalues the life of African Americans, but furthermore proceeds to take part in the celebrating of the taking of an African American life.(Reference Sean Bell) In addition to that there is a growing trend where police precints that are involved in these situations are turning a "blind eye" to the possibility of foul play, and ultimately rewarding such law enforcement officers for what they deem as "doing their job".
It's cases like these that anger me so much. Whenever a black man is killed by a white police officer it's always assumed to be a "cover up." Two officers were hit with this mans car as he tried to flee a scene. If someone tried to run me over with their car twice I would probably do the same! Since when is it ok not to protect our law enforcement, they protect us. Why do we have to wait for an officer to die before anything is done. There is no reason to strip them of ALL dignity when they do their jobs.
We must stand up for the value of a human life. This police department's distasteful actions obviously do not.
I normally don't side with the police, however, the officer was hit by a car and he had a right to defend himself from deadly force with deadly force. I am not saying the young man who was killed was guilty of hitting the cop with malice. What I am saying is that from the point of view of the officers on the scene, the shooting is justifiable.
As for the award, I don't believe that it was a good idea, but it is within the rights of the PBA and its members to decide who receives the honor.
The officer was seriously injured in the line of duty after he was struck violently by a group of people not following directions in a several thousand pound vehicle. It is a tragedy that there was a waste of life, but this officer endured months of painful surgery and rehab, and did so in the PBA's opinion, with professionalism and dignity. He performed under those conditions well enough that they, a private group, found him worthy of this award. I do not have a problem with him recieving this, just all of the attention that the media is bringing to it.
The PBA was not celebrating the untimely death of anyone. They were celebrating a police officer who has one of the hardest jobs in the world and was forced to do something that no officer ever wants to do and was severly injured while doing so. The PBA has the right to honor whom ever they choose and should not be chastised in the media for doing so. Regardless of what the community or parents think the officers were cleared of any wrongdoing and should not in any way be charged with murder or any other crime. Bad things happen, sometimes to good people in bad situations but that does not warrant taking away someone's freedom for doing a job that they were entrusted by the community to do. If we charge every police officer that is forced to protect him/herself or others with deadly force with murder, we will have chaos in the streets because nobody will be willing to take the chance of being locked up for life simply for doing their job and protecting themselves and the public.
I have two questions,
1. What are the PBA standards for receiving the award title "OFFICER OF THE YEAR"
2. Other than shooting and killing a person, what else did this officer accomplish during the year to make him the "OFFICER OF THE YEAR"
Paul
The recognition of this officer has nothing to do with the shooting. The officer is being recognized for his work in the community. The two officers involved were cleared by a grand jury. Relating the shooting to the award is typical of the media comparing unrelated articles to stir emotional reaction. If you must relate the two items why not use the story to support the grand jury findings? This officer obviously does an outstanding job to receive the award and thus supporting the grand jury findings. What was Mr. Henry doing to draw law enforcement attention resulting in him getting shot? Haven't heard you mention that in any of your stories.
Im an ex police officer and this is 100% a slap in the face to the family and more proof that the PBA thugs will support criminals in thier ranks NO MATTER WHAT!!
The officer caused a wrongful death, that should never be cause for an award.
That's just ridiculous. First of all he should have been found guilty and then to go and give him and award for office of the year is absurd.
We should never celebrate the untimely death of anyone, no matter the circumstances.