For what it's worth, way longer than "a few years ago." United DC-8 going in to Portland in the late 1960s, if memory serves.
I suspect the recollection is the 707 into JFK?
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IMHO, it must be understood, there is usually little "danger" in despatching with company fuel, or even less... there is no obligation on the crew to land at destination, or hold extensively. They can divert early, declare a Pan or Mayday (which are hardly dangerous actions in themselves), or even land en-route somewhere. Conversely, as with Portland and JFK, an aircraft can despatch with plenty of fuel, but run out due poor decisions or communications.
Declaring a Mayday for lack of fuel is not indicative of a safety problem. Landing with less than Reserves more so, but still not an issue if communicated ahead, given priority. IIRC (but may be wrong) of the 4 x RYR who declared a Mayday, 3 landed with Reserves+, and 1 a fraction below. I'd rather fly with an airline who were happy to call Mayday, if and when required, to ensure landing with Reserves than the opposite
