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Report: Cop In D.J. Henry Shooting Named 'Officer Of Year'

BOSTON (CBS/AP) - The police officer who shot and killed D. J. Henry has reportedly been named "Officer of the Year."

According to the Pleasantville (N.Y.) Patch, Officer Aaron Hess will be honored in a ceremony Friday.

Henry, a Pace University football player from Easton, was killed Oct. 17 when officers fired at his car as he drove away from a bar in Thornwood, just north of New York City.

Hess has been recovering from knee injuries when he was struck by a car driven by Henry.

Pleasantville's Police Benevolent Association president Matthew Listwan told the paper the union voted to honor Hess to "recognize all he went through and for his hard work."

"I'm not surprised because it's consistent with the sort of arrogance that's been displayed from the start," Henry's father Dan told WBZ NewsRadio 1030 Wednesday.

"I don't give it much weight. There are about 23 people on the Pleasantville, NY police department. There are about 20 people in this benevolent association, the police union there, and they can give him whatever he wants."

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Jon Maclean talks to Dan Henry

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"We're much more concerned about the findings of the U.S. Attorney's Office as they continue their investigation."

A Westchester County grand jury declined to indict Hess and another officer in the shooting.

The Department of Justice is reviewing evidence in the case to determine whether there were any civil rights crimes.

The Henry family also plans to file a wronfgul death lawsuit.

They have set up a memorial fund in his honor, called the DJ Dream Fund.

(TM and © Copyright 2010 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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