Parents of the 20-year-old Danroy Henry Jr. called the award insensitive and arrogant.
Angella Henry, left, the mother of Danroy Henry, breaks down while thanking the Pace University students who helped her son who was shot and killed by police, after the charges against them were dismissed at Mount Pleasant Town Court, Thursday, March 24, 2011, in Mount Pleasant, N.Y. At second from left is Desmond Hines, who wasn't charged but was initially held, standing next to Joseph Romanick, Joseph Garcia, Yves Delpeche and Daniel Parker, right.WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — A police union has given its Officer of the Year award to the policeman who shot and killed a college football player during a disturbance in the New York City suburbs.
Parents of the student, 20-year-old Danroy Henry Jr., of Easton, Mass., called the award insensitive and arrogant.
"We simply asked for truth and honesty, and we've gotten arrogance," said Danroy Henry Sr. "Some people see themselves above the law and above simple human dignity."
The student's mother, Angella Henry, said: "Now everyone else is getting to see the kind of inhumane treatment we've gotten."
The Police Benevolent Association of the Pleasantville Police Department said Wednesday it honored Officer Aaron Hess for his dignity and professionalism since the October shooting and throughout his career.
Hess fired at Henry's car as Henry drove away from a disturbance that spilled out of a bar in Thornwood, just north of New York City, after Pace University's homecoming game. Hess was cleared of criminal wrongdoing by a Westchester County grand jury in February.
Autopsy results found Henry was above the legal limit for alcohol, but his family says he wasn't drunk.
Hess, who suffered leg injuries, said he shot at Henry after Henry's car hit him. Some witnesses disputed that.
The Henry family is seeking federal intervention, and the Department of Justice has said it will review the evidence to determine whether there were any civil rights crimes.
The Henrys are planning a $120 million lawsuit against Pleasantville and Mount Pleasant.
The PBA said the award wasn't meant to offend the Henry family.
But family lawyer Michael Sussman said, "They're offended."