Slain Conductor Had Union-Endorsed Insurance; Family Receives Check at Union Hall

M3 Technology President John Pescitelli (at left) holds check for $89,250 which was presented to Michael Dicks (seated, with brother Jaelen, 4). Also present with the Dicks family were Union officers including Sec-Treas Earl Phillips and MOW VP Tony Utano

Conductor Jacqueline Dicks-Drumgold could never have imagined her senseless death – but she did prepare for the worst. In January, just months before her murder, Jacqueline took out an accidental death insurance policy through a union-endorsed vendor. On Friday, Jacqueline’s oldest son and three younger siblings received an $89,250 insurance check at the Union Hall in downtown Brooklyn.

“One of the things your mother did when she took this job was look out for her family,” Local 100 Secretary-Treasurer Earl Phillips said. “She did the right thing. Her children were in her heart and in her mind.”

Michael Dicks, 22, Jacqueline’s oldest son, thanked Phillips and Maintenance of Way Vice President Tony Utano, for Local 100’s assistance through the terrible ordeal, including the union paying for his mother’s funeral. “Everyone is grateful,” Dicks said. “Everyone in the family is grateful. Much love for the union. Love in my heart goes out to the union.”

An estranged boyfriend shot and killed Jacqueline May 1 as she returned home from her shift on the N line. Jacqueline, who was hired in June of last year, had six children: Tatiana Dicks, 24; Michael Dicks, 22; Tyrone Dicks, 21; Terrena Drumgold, 16; Terrenc e Drumgold, 14; and Jaelen, 4. The three youngest children came to the Hall with Michael and an aunt, Kenya Cofield, a retired Bus Operator who spent 18 years on the road. During the somber gathering, John B. Pescitelli, President of M3 Technology, the union-endorsed vendor, pledged to give $1,000 towards college tuition to Jaelen, Terrence, Terrena and Michael. M3 Technology essentially is an insurance broker. The insurance company is TransAmerica Financial Life Insurance.