Pace football players honor DJ Henry's life and legacy 16 years after his death
The university marks his legacy each year through Social Justice Week, held around Henry's birthday. He would have turned 37 on Oct. 29.
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Students and staff at Pace University gathered this week to remember Danroy "DJ" Henry, the former football player whose death in 2010 sparked years of calls for justice.
Henry was killed on Oct. 17, 2010, during a confrontation with police outside a Pleasantville bar.
Accounts vary, but authorities said officers had directed Henry to move his vehicle from a fire zone when the situation escalated. Officer Aaron Hess fired into Henry's vehicle while on the hood of the car. Hess was never criminally charged in connection with the shooting.
Sixteen years later, Henry's memory remains a central part of campus life at Pace. The university marks his legacy each year through Social Justice Week, held around Henry's birthday. He would have turned 37 on Oct. 29.
"Right after DJ was killed, the community really came together, and we still do to this day in DJ's honor," said Vinnie Birkenmeyer, co-chair of the DJ Henry Memorial Subcommittee. "Something that's been really important from the beginning was making sure that we keep DJ and his memory alive here at Pace."
Organizers say the annual week of events is designed not only to honor Henry's life, but also to encourage conversations about social justice.
"It was just kind of like a call for action for the university to be able to not only remember DJ, but a way to be able to have programming and bring awareness for social justice," said Mariesa Cruz-Tillery, chair of Social Justice Week.
Current football players who never met Henry firsthand said his story remains an important part of the program's culture.
"The Pace football culture here is very strong," said Christian Valerio, a senior on the football team. "I think it's very important for people to know what happened to a past player on the team. I think it was horrible what happened, but his legacy will remain here at Pace."
In a statement, Henry's parents said they remain grateful for the continued recognition of their son.
"We are forever grateful to the Pace community for remembering DJ, speaking his name, and reminding the world that his life mattered," they said.
