MOVING FORWARD
Dakota James’ parents announce foundation in his honor
The parents of the late Dakota James used the occasion of his first birthday since he went missing and his body was found in the Ohio River to announce the formation of a foundation in his name to promote more camera surveillance in the city, better police procedures and improved support for the families of missing people.
The announcement of the memorial foundation — www. dakota james foundation.—by Jeff and Pam James of Frederick, Md., came at a news conference Wednesday on what would have been their son’s 24th birthday. The Duquesne University graduate student went missing Jan. 25 from Downtown after having drinks with co-workers; his body was recovered March 6 in the Ohio River in Robinson.
The Allegheny County Medical Examiners’s office ruled the death resulted from an accidental drowning. Jeff and Pam James said previously they were shocked by the ruling, believing instead their son was the victim of foul play.
The news conference was held at the Hyatt Place, North Shore, where the couple and their large family stayed during the search for Dakota. They remarked then and reiterated Wednesday their appreciation for the support and kindness shown them by Pittsburgh people and businesses and said the foundation was an effort on their part to help their adopted home town.
“It is our goal to help the people of Pittsburgh to make sure no family has the misfortune of sharing our experience, particularly in a city my son loved,” Jeff James said.
“We can’t go back from what happened,” his wife added. “All we can do is move forward and make it safer for someone else.”
Jeff James said the family was surprised to find out during the search for Dakota that there are no surveillance cameras on Pittsburgh bridges. The last surveillance image of Dakota was taken by a surveillance camera in Katz Place, Downtown, as he headed toward Scott Place on his presumed route to his North Side home by crossing the Roberto Clemente Bridge.
“Perhaps if there had been a camera on the bridge we would know if he got on the bridge or made it across. We just don’t know,” Jeff James said. “The camera would have answered all of the questions.”
The Rev. Larry Homitsky of Calvary United Methodist Church, who provided spiritual support for the James family and presided at a Pittsburgh memorial service for Dakota, said the family wanted to do something positive on a day “that otherwise would have been filled with silence.” And, he said, they wanted something good to come from something so tragic.
“Out of the depths of grief sometimes can come the seeds of compassion and commitment,” said Pastor Homitsky, who worked with the couple on developing the foundation.
Pam James said the family was encouraged that in its first seven days the foundation has already received $25,000 in donations from corporations and individuals.
Michael A. Fuoco: mfuoco@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1968. Twitter: @michaelafuoco