It’s been 13 years since Danroy Henry’s death: It’s time to pass DJ’s Law

As we welcome back thousands of previous students to our Pace University campus this weekend, we are reminded sadly yet again there will be one notable absence. For so many college graduates and students across the country, Homecoming is a joyous and celebratory occasion. For me and many other Pace alumni, it is a reminder of a classmate lost and a system that failed to deliver justice.

It’s a sad reminder of a dear friend of Pace — Danroy “DJ” Henry — who was taken from us far too soon.

This will be the thirteenth year that DJ is not able to celebrate homecoming at his alma mater. This is because, on the night of DJ’s junior year homecoming game, on Oct. 17, 2010, he was shot and killed by Pleasantville Police Officer Aaron Hess. DJ’s life and story have been well documented and noted by news outlets, celebrities, advocacy groups and most notably his friends and family.

The tragedy of DJ’s loss was compounded by the injustice that followed, one that is all too familiar to many in this country: a young Black man wrongly taken from us and his family. And those responsible for shooting DJ were never charged.

At the time of DJ’s death, I was a senior at Pace University and was serving as the president of the Student Government Association. It was a unique role to be in during a tragedy because while I was not a close friend of DJ’s like many of my classmates, I learned countless stories of his good deeds, kind spirit, and love for those around him as we organized vigils, memorials, dedications and advocacy drives for justice.

I still count it as one the most pivotal moments in my life, and a large part of why I went into working in student affairs on college campuses — seeing the impact decisions made during tragedies can have on young adults and wanting be part of that support network.

In the last 13 years I have been proud of the work done to keep DJ’s memory alive at Pace through the dedication of permanent structures to honor DJ on our Westchester and New York City campuses, telling DJ’s story in various venues, and most notably through the adoption of the annual DJ Henry Social Justice Week, which is taking place from Oct. 30 to Nov. 4 on all Pace University campuses. Students, faculty, staff and alumni host a series of events covering a variety of social justice topics in DJ’s honor.

During this year’s social justice week, we will be reaffirming our commitment to DJ’s legacy by advocating for the adoption of DJ’s Law as mentioned in a July 26, 2023 memo from the Westchester County District Attorney Mimi Rocah’s office. In the memo, the DA’s office explained the findings of an independent review of DJ’s death, concluding that there was no “basis to resubmit charges to a new grand jury.”

While it was disappointing to hear that DJ’s killer would not be brought to justice in a way that many of us hoped, the memo went on to address many policy and procedural suggestions to help avoid future tragedies and to support future victims and victim’s families. In addition to noting that the “Henry family and their son’s memory were not accorded the respect and compassion that they unquestionably deserved” from many in positions of authority, the DA and her Executive Team said that DJ’s death may have been avoided if better protocols had been in place and the officers involved had received more specific training. One of the suggestions from the DA’s office calls “on state and county lawmakers to propose legislation — DJ’s Law — requiring specific training for law enforcement about best practices in different moving vehicle situations.”

Memo from Rocah: Their loved ones were killed over a decade ago by police. Is DA’s new report justice?

Our elected officials would be wise to take up DJ’s Law as a priority and see it signed into law. While this will not bring DJ back, it may prevent another life from being cut too short and another family and community from being devastated.

The time to act is now. State and county lawmakers can lead the way and establish a model for cities, towns, and villages throughout Westchester County and beyond.

We will be dedicating time to educating our community about DJ’s law and reaching out to our elected officials during DJ Henry Social Justice week.

Join us in helping keep DJ’s legacy alive, and prevent a future tragedy. This homecoming season we will celebrate, we will mourn, and we will fight for a better future. For more information about DJ Henry and the amazing work being continued in his name by the DJ Henry Dream Fund visit djhenrydreamfund.org or pace.edu/social-justice-week.

Vinnie Birkenmeyer is the director of Residential Life at Pace University in Pleasantville and an adjunct professor of Political Science.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: It’s been 13 years since Danroy Henry’s death: It’s time to pass DJ’s Law