Some Brockton police officers object to fundraiser in memory of Danroy ‘DJ’ Henry of Easton Brockton officer warned after using work email to complain about Taunton event

Some Brockton police officers object to fundraiser in memory of Danroy ‘DJ’ Henry of Easton
Brockton officer warned after using work email to complain about Taunton event

Wayne Dozier of Boston, left, grandfather of college football player Danroy “DJ” Henry Jr., who was shot and killed by a police officer, wipes his eyes as Jamele Dozier, Danroy’s uncle, holds a photo of the football player during a news conference in Boston’s Roxbury neighborhood on Thursday.

By Vicki-Ann Downing


Enterprise Staff Writer
Posted Apr 22, 2011 @ 06:00 AM

BROCKTON —
A  Brockton police officer used his work email to send a message to a restaurant holding a benefit to honor the late Danroy “DJ” Henry of Easton, asking when a similar event would be held for the police officers involved in Henry’s fatal shooting in New York.

“Please let me know when the benefit is being held for the two police officers that were struck and killed by the drunk driver,” wrote Patrolman Scott D. Uhlman. “I will charter a bus and fill it up with people who would spend money at Uno’s for a good cause.”

The three-day fundraiser, held in February at Uno Chicago Grill in Taunton, raised $5,000 for the DJ Dream Fund, a nonprofit group founded by the Henry family that will award money to children younger than 18 for the purchase of sports equipment and to pay athletic fees and gym memberships.

Henry, 20, a student at Pace University, was shot and killed by police on Oct. 17 in a shopping plaza in suburban New York. His family on Wednesday filed a wrongful-death civil suit against one police officer and the village that employed him.

That officer, Aaron Hess, was named “Officer of the Year” last week by his union. Police contend DJ Henry was drunk and drove his car at Hess, who landed on the hood and shot through the windshield.

Uhlman’s email, which incorrectly said that police were “killed” in the Henry incident, was one of many received from law enforcement personnel after the fundraiser for the “DJ Dream Fund” was reported on The Enterprise website, the Henry family said.

Another Brockton police officer, Jason Ford, a decorated Iraq War veteran, wrote Uno’s from his home email account, not his work account.

“As a longtime and faithful patron of your restaurant, I would like to know when the benefit for the two New York police officers DJ Henry ran down while underage, intoxicated, refusing to obey the lawful orders and attempting to flee” will be, Ford wrote. “I would love to attend the benefit for those officers.”

The emails from police to Uno’s led Henry’s father, Dan Henry of Easton, to write a letter of complaint to Brockton Mayor Linda M. Balzotti.

“My family and I recently learned of the concerns expressed by several of your officers in advance of a Dream Fund fundraiser held at the Uno’s in Taunton,” Henry wrote. “Why they would object to a fund that will enable youth throughout Massachusetts to afford sports equipment, pay participation fees and afford gym memberships is troubling to us.

“As we intend to both fund-raise and distribute funds to those in need living in Brockton, we hope that you can assure us that this was an isolated incident and that the Dream Fund will be welcomed in Brockton.”
Balzotti did not respond to Henry’s letter. The mayor’s office said this week that Balzotti considered the letter “informational” and the issue to be a “personnel matter” that she brought to the attention of the Police Chief William Conlon.

Conlon said he issued a warning about the matter, but did not discipline anyone.
“People were told that whatever their opinions may be, they can’t use emails from here to express them,” Conlon said. “They were warned about the future use of computers in that fashion.”
Conlon called the Henry case “a very unfortunate situation that inflamed a lot of passions on both sides, and I think it’s best if we stay out of it. It’s a tragic story and very sad for the family.”

After the emails were received by Uno’s in Taunton, the corporate office in Boston asked the event organizers to write a letter to Uno’s chief operating officer, Roger L. Zingle, explaining that the money raised would be used to benefit children, not for the Henry family or its legal expenses.
The goal was to “be sure there was no misunderstanding,” said Rick Hendrie, senior vice president of marketing for Uno’s.

He said the company received “a very, very modest rumbling” of complaint about the Henry fundraiser.
The event “went without a hitch,” Hendrie said. “It was a great event. The restaurant was festive ... It’s part of what we do to support the community.”

Uhlman acknowledged that he made a mistake in using his work email to write Uno’s.
“I was a little distraught that a police officer was severely injured (in the Henry incident) and may never walk again,” Uhlman said. “I sympathize with the family that their son died, but what about the police officer that may never walk again or hold a job again?”

Hess, the officer who shot Henry, underwent knee surgery following the incident and is expected to return to work soon, his union said last week.

Ford, the other Brockton officer who sent an email about the fundraiser, could not be reached for comment.

Vicki-Ann Downing may be reached at vdowning@enterprisenews.com.


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