Albany, NY – A year after her husband was murdered on a Brooklyn subway, Jakeba Dockery claims the new subway safety initiative announced by Gov. Kathy Hochul would not have prevented his death. Dockery’s husband, Richard Henderson, a 45-year-old school crossing guard, was shot while intervening in a dispute over loud music on the 3 train. The tragedy marked him as the first subway homicide victim of 2024.
In her critique, Dockery described the governor’s plan, which includes increased police presence on subways from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., as a positive initial step but insufficient in addressing the broader issue. Her husband was killed before the evening, a time not covered by the proposed hours of increased patrols. “Offering 24-hour surveillance would make a stronger statement,” Dockery suggested, highlighting a gap in the system’s ability to protect riders at all hours.
Since the incident, Dockery has not returned to the subway system, a place she once described affectionately as her “best friend.” The murder has cast a shadow over her perception of the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA), leaving her with a sense of pervasive anger among commuters.
Dockery’s grief led her to establish a nonprofit named Richard’s Way, aimed at honoring her husband’s commitment to child welfare. Furthermore, she is actively pursuing justice for her husband by offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the capture of his killer, expressing frustration over the lack of progress in the case.
The family commemorated the first anniversary of Henderson’s death with a balloon release at their Crown Heights residence, a somber reminder of the void left by his untimely departure. The local community and relatives are still reeling from the incident, which was the precursor to nine additional subway-related deaths that year, reflecting an increasing trend in transit violence.
In response to the continuing violence, Dockery urged city leaders to specifically enhance patrol efforts on the 3 line and in the East New York area, where her husband was killed. Highlighting these locations, she hopes, could prevent future tragedies and restore a sense of security among the commuting public.
Gov. Hochul, in her State of the State address, underscored the subway safety plan as part of a broader agenda to tackle crime and improve public transportation throughout New York City. However, for those like Dockery, the measures fall short of the comprehensive action they believe is necessary to curb the tide of violence and protect all riders at any given time of day.
As the city continues to grapple with issues of safety and security on its public transit systems, the voices of individuals like Dockery highlight the personalized impact of these policies and the urgent need for more robust protections to ensure the well-being of everyday New Yorkers.