PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. –  As part of today's memorial service, hosted by Pleasantville's Black Student Union, for former Pace University football player, Danroy "DJ" Henry Jr., the Pace University Department of Athletics officially announced the retirement of his No. 12 jersey. Today would have been DJ's 31st birthday.

DJ Henry was shot and killed by a police officer on Oct. 17, 2010 just hours after playing in a Homecoming football contest on the Pleasantville campus. Henry, a native of Easton, Mass., is remembered as an extremely selfless person, who brought out the very best in others, while being a sensational teammate, son and friend. His shooting has reverberated at Pace over the last 10 years, representing a senseless death of a person with unlimited potential.

"DJ's uniform, No. 12, has become an everlasting symbol of a wonderful young man who was taken from us all too soon," said Pace's Director of Athletics, Mark Brown. "And for what he has meant, and continues to mean to us here at Pace, the Department of Athletics is honored to officially retire the No. 12 in the sport of football, so that DJ's memory will live on forever."

It was also announced the plans for a much larger jersey retirement ceremony to be held at a home football game when it is safe to do so.

Today's event, which was part of Pace University's Social Justice Week, included several speakers, a time of reflection from Henry's friends and family, and the announcement of the retirement of his No. 12 jersey.

Current Pace football players, Carlton Aiken (Gibbstown, N.J./Paulsboro), Harrison Moran-Fernandez (Union City, N.J./Union City) and Eli Simmons, Jr. (Bloomfield, N.J./Bloomfield), joined Mark Brown among the speakers.