Professional Documents
Culture Documents
In the early morning hours of October 17, 2010, Pleasantville Police Officer Aaron Hess
responded to a call of a "dispute" at Finnegan's Pub in Thornwood. Upon arrival, Officer Hess
assisted Mt. Pleasant police officers who were dealing with the aftermath of that bar incident in
the parking area at the Thornwood Shopping Center. At that time, the operator of one vehicle
now identified as Danroy Henry ignored instructions from a Mt. Pleasant police officer to stop
and instead drove forward toward Officer Hess who was in the path of the vehicle. Officer Hess
raised his hand signaling the vehicle to stop, fully expecting the driver to comply. Inexplicably,
the driver did not comply and two officers were struck by the vehicle. Officer Hess was thrown
onto the hood of the vehicle. The operator continued to ignore verbal commands to stop, the
vehicle continued forward with Officer Hess clinging to the hood of the vehicle. Fearing for his
life and that of others, Officer Hess fired his weapon to stop the threat that was presented by the
vehicle and the actions of the driver. Mt. Pleasant Police Officer Ronald Beckley also fired his
weapon at the scene. The vehicle struck two police vehicles. Officer Hess was thrown to the
ground.
Officer Hess was seriously injured as a result of being hit by the vehicle and he
underwent a 4 % hour surgery to repair his knee and was admitted to the hospital for further care.
Officer Hess has been and is an outstanding police officer, with whom all members of the
Pleasantville High School where he was Captain of his High School football and basketball
teams.
Officer Aaron Hess is an honorably discharged and highly decorated member of the
United States Marine Corp. who served his Country for four years (1996-2000) including service
during Operation Desert Fox. He was the recipient of meritorious service citations and was a
Upon completion of his military service, Officer Hess returned home and began his
service with the New York City Police Department in 2000 where he served with distinction and
received commendations for meritorious police duty and excellent police service. In 2003,
Officer Hess returned home to the Village of Pleasantville and he joined the Police Department
as a police officer. He has served as a K-9 Officer with the Department since 2005 and has been
Officer Hess and K-9 Rox have participated in numerous community events and
programs at the Bedford Road School and the Pleasantville Middle School.
Officer Hess has never been the subject of excessive force complaints with either the
City of New York or Village of Pleasantville. Officer Hess has never been disciplined for
misconduct with either the City of New York or Village of Pleasantville. Officer Hess has never
Officer Hess acted in accordance with his training and as required under the
The members of the Villsge of Pleasantville Police Benevolent Association stand firmly
behind Officer Hess and remain confident that upon a full, fair and complete investigation of the
incident of October 17,2010, it will be shown that Officer Hess acted lawfully and appropriately
in all respects.
On behalf of Officer Hess and the members of the Village of Pleasantville Police
Benevolent Association, we thank the community for the continuing expressions of support for
Officer Hess, his family and the other officers involved in what we all agree is a tragedy on
many levels for all involved. Officer Hess and the Village of Pleasantville Police Benevolent
Association ask that anyone having information or witnessing the events of October 17, 2010
contact the Westchester County District Attorney's Office or the New York State Police,
York State Union of Police Associations, Inc., 263 Route 17K, Suite 1004, Newburgh, New
York. Officer Hess is being represented by Attorney John K. Grant, 3 Main Street, Suite One,
Nyack, New York. Telephone inquiries should be addressed to Mr. Grant at (914) 260-9800 or
(845) 566-5526.