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STATEMENT OF MATTHEW LISTWAN , PRESIDENT OF THE POLICEBENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION OF PLEASANTV ILLE, NEW YORK, INC. INSUPPORT OF OFFICER AARON HESS

In the early morning hours of October 17,2010, Pleasantville Police O fficer Aaron Hessresponded to a call of a "dispute" at Finnegan's Pub in Thornwoo d. Upon arrival, Officer Hessassisted M t. Pleasant police officers who were dealing with the aftermath of that bar incident inthe parking area at the Thornw ood Shopping Center. At that time, the operator of one vehiclenow identified as Danroy Henry ignored instructions from a Mt. Pleasant police officer to stopand instead drove forward toward Officer Hess who was in the path of the vehicle. Officer Hessraised his hand signaling the vehicle to stop, fully expecting the driver to com ply. Inexp licably,the driver did not comply and two officers were struck by the vehicle. Officer Hess was thrownonto the hood of the vehicle. The operator continued to ignore verbal comm ands to stop, thevehicle continued forward with Officer Hess clinging to the hood of the vehicle. Fearing for hislife and that of others, Officer Hess fired his weapon to stop the threat that was presented by thevehicle and the actions of the driver. Mt. Pleasant Police Officer Ronald Beckley also fired hisweapon at the scene. The vehicle struck two police vehicles. Officer Hess was thrown to theground.

Officer Hess was seriously injured as a result of being hit by the vehicle and heunderwent a 4 % hour surgery to repair his knee and w as adm itted to the hospital for further care.He faces possible further surge ries to the knee.

Officer Hess has been and is an outstanding police officer, with whom all members of thePleasantville Police Benevolent A ssociation are proud to serve.

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Officer Aaron Hess is a lifelong resident of this community and he graduated fromPleasantville High School where he was Captain of his High School football and basketballteams.

Officer Aaron Hess is an honorably discharged and highly decorated member of theUn ited States Marine Co rp. who served his C ountry for four years (1996-200 0) including serviceduring Operation Desert Fox. He was the recipient of meritorious service citations and was aCrew Chief of a M arine Am phibious Assault Unit.

Upon completion of his military service, Officer Hess returned home and began hisservice with the New York City Police Department in 2000 where he s erved with distinction andreceived comm endations for meritorious police duty and excellent police service. In 2003,Officer Hess returned home to the V illage of Pleasantville and he joined the Police Departmentas a police officer. He has served as a K-9 Officer with the Department since 2005 and has beenthe recipient of two excellent police duty aw ards.

Officer Hess and K-9 Rox have participated in numerous community events andprograms at the B edford Road School and the P leasantville Middle S chool.

Officer Hess has nev er been the subject of excessive force com plaints with either theCity of New York or Village of Pleasantville. Officer Hess has never been disciplined formisco nduct with either the City of New York o r Village of Pleasantville. Officer Hess has neverbefore been forced to use his firearm in the line of duty.

Officer Hess acted in accordance with his training and as required under thecircumstanc es with which he was con fronted.

The members of the Villsge of Pleasantville Police Benevolent Association stand firmlybehind Officer Hess and remain confident that upon a full, fair and co mp lete investigation of the

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incident of October 17,2 010 , it will be shown that Officer Hess acted lawfully and appropriatelyin all respects.

On behalf of Officer Hess and the members of the Village of Pleasantville PoliceBenevolent Association, we thank the community for the continuing expressions of support forOfficer Hess, his family and the other officers involved in what we all agree is a tragedy onmany levels for all involved. Officer Hess and the Village of Pleasantville Police Benevo lentAssociation ask that anyone having information or witnessing the events of October 17, 2010contact the Westchester County District Attorney's Office or the New York State Police,Lieutenant James Murphy at (914) 742-2600.

The Pleasantville Police Benevolent Association is a member organization of the NewYork State Union of Police Associations, Inc., 263 Route 17K, Suite 1004, Newburgh, NewYork. Officer Hess is being represented by A ttorney John K. Grant, 3 Main Street, Suite One,Nyack, New York. Telepho ne inquiries should be addressed to Mr. Grant at (914) 260-9800 or(845) 566-5526.