On May 30, 2024, Connecticut State Police Trooper First Class Aaron Pelletier was tragically killed in the line of duty when a truck struck him while he was conducting a traffic stop.
According to the Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP) synopsis, Trooper Pelletier “pulled over a vehicle on the right shoulder of the highway with his emergency equipment activated on his cruiser. While he was speaking with the driver of the car, a truck crossed the dividing line into the shoulder lane, sideswiped his cruiser, and struck him. The driver fled in the vehicle and was apprehended approximately five miles away in a wooded area.
“Trooper Pelletier was killed instantly. His canine partner, Roso, was in the cruiser when it was struck, but he was not injured.
“The subject was arrested and charged with evading responsibility for a crash causing death, illegal operation of a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol/drugs, failure to drive in the proper lane, second-degree manslaughter with a motor vehicle, failure to move over, and illegal operation of a motor vehicle without a driver’s license.”
(Photo courtesy of Because of the Brave.)
Police commemorations honoring fallen cops are ordinarily adorned with the representative Thin Blue Line flags, symbolizing the compassion for, adoration of, and respect given to law enforcement officers who daily put their lives on the line for the citizenry.
Looking at various interpretations of TBL lore, another site proclaimed the flag symbolizes “valor” and “solidarity” among those who selflessly uphold law and order and ensure public safety.
Per Flagwix.com, “The ‘Thin Blue Line’ American flag is a powerful emblem of support and solidarity for law enforcement officers, symbolizing the sacrifices they make daily to safeguard our communities. This flag serves as a beacon of compassion for the nation’s police force, reflecting a collective acknowledgment of their pivotal role in maintaining public safety.” (Flagwix explained the etiology of the TBL flag, which you can read.)
A tiny town faction of elected officials disagree…
In Wethersfield, CT, a majority of the town council’s embodiment lashed out and claimed the Thin Blue Line flag is a racist symbol and must not be flown/shown.
It sounds akin to the plague of HOA ideologies and their strong-arm enforcement against exhibiting TBL flags wafting in Wethersfield.
Via our brothers and sisters with Team South Florida, reporting on law enforcement culture and affairs, we have a snippet of footage exhibiting the tartness of pickled mindsets still barking falsities about our country’s cops being nothing more than racists and antagonists.
Notice some attendees in the crowd holding miniaturized Pride flags, matching the standard-size Pride flag flown at half-mast while oddly honoring a state policeman who is married with two children.
“Raising the Pride flag in honor of his passing”?
And they call police antagonists!
Speaking of which, tons of citizens call for police help 365 days a year in America, anticipating a heroic response against actual antagonists. The calvary relentlessly responds.
An online friend of mine whose husband is a neighboring city policeman (patrolling just north of Wethersfield PD’s jurisdiction) posted on social media, rightfully decrying this outrageous maneuver by councilmembers who rendered a majority vote prohibiting the Thin Blue Line flag flown at Trooper Pelletier’s memorial.
The policeman’s wife said, “I’m sputtering. Just when I think people can’t get any more stupid. Town of Wethersfield, you should be embarrassed…instead of being on the map for being supportive, these members are a disgrace…sorry we can’t give you 30 days’ notice when an OFFICER is KILLED in the LINE of DUTY!”
I pondered the “30 days’ notice” mention and arrived at material regarding Wethersfield town policy to consider flag-raising after a formal request is submitted to the nine-member council. My friend’s commentary “sorry we can’t give you 30 days’ notice when an OFFICER is KILLED in the LINE of DUTY!” highlights the rigidity of governance when exceptions to the rule are not factored by chronologically mature leaders. Sounds like bureaucrats bureaucratized a fallen cop’s commemoration.
Wethersfield, founded in 1634, with a population of roughly 27 thousand (2020 Census), has a nine-member town council, a majority of whom identify as belonging to the party that notoriously devalues cops and implements bizarre policies. We see they have not relented.
Here they are:
(Collage courtesy of Because of the Brave.)
The Wethersfield Town Council comprises three Republicans and six Democrats, with five of the latter party voting against flying the Thin Blue Line flag, three in favor of TBL representation, leaving a sole official who abstained from voting.
Conversely, one Wethersfield town council member who supports the police was interviewed in light of this anti-cop travesty, denoting the symbolism of the TBL flag, saying, “In my home, it means police…and they protect us…and they’re our first line of defense. They always are. They’re always here. They’re always for us.” Those are not just words. They are lived experiences. His father served as a policeman.
On June 5, 2024, a spokesperson for Because of the Brave posted a statement alluding to the crass town council decision to closet the Thin Blue Line flag and out the Pride flag instead:
“Today we honor the life of Trooper Pelletier. It’s about him, the impact he made, and the legacy he leaves behind.
“That being said, I’m extremely aware of the continuous negative comments from most of the town council members of Wethersfield who lack any sense of compassion for our fallen officers. I have a lot to say about it and actions to present change. Today is just not the right time. I will not be speaking on this matter today as I don’t feel it’s appropriate. Later this week there will be plenty of ways you can help.”
Sounds like things are brewing to chide local elected officials opting to blatantly dishonor one of the many law enforcement officers whose lives are routinely subjected to a plethora of perils while protecting others, including the entire town council governing Wethersfield.
Initially, though, Because of the Brave justly offered words rebuking local elected officials for disgracing law enforcement, listing each one by name and the proverbial D after their name:
“When it comes to police lives, I don’t hold back. Town of Wethersfield, you should be ashamed of yourselves. You DENIED raising the police flag in honor of Trooper Pelletier who was KILLED in the line of duty [recently].
“It’s disrespectful to the police community and goes to show that you do not value their sacrifice because something as simple as flying a flag can’t be done.
“Not to mention, Bobby Garten grew up in the town of Wethersfield. Bobby made the ultimate sacrifice on 9/6/23. Do you not have any compassion towards police families?
“To add to the nonsense, the deputy mayor read the meaning of the blue line flag off of Wikipedia… Who are these people we are electing?!!!
“These are the council members that voted No: Ken Lesser, Mayor (D), Cynthia Clancy (D), Emily Zambrello (D), Miki Duric (D), and Jane Roets (D).”
According to a few reports, Mayor Lesser offered an “alternative,” suggesting flying the First Responders’ flag:
“The first responders’ flag recognizes all the first responders – police, fire, emergency management. The blue line flag was designed for police officers and it goes back over 100 years, but now it has been used by White supremacists and many police groups have disavowed that flag.” His emotive opinion was offered…proof was not.
Similarly, town Councilmember Zambrello salted the shameful deed with ill-supported terse language.
Referring to the Thin Blue Line flag, she said, “It represents racism and antagonism to many, many people, and if you don’t personally believe that, and you fly at your own house and you think it means something to you, that is much more positive. It’s just not how many people feel about it, it’s not appropriate to raise it over our town hall, especially when our flag policy prohibits us from doing anything associated with hate.” Like Mayor Lesser, emotive opinion was offered without a survey, poll, or proof of any kind.
Wethersfield employs a police force, one that is nationally certified as ultra-professional after a long and rigorous vetting process by objective, external judges whose benthic-deep analysis would have detected any hint of “white supremacy” and the other ugly things TBL-deniers asserted.
Can you imagine what each of Wethersfield PD’s officers feels like nowadays, with some of their elected officials harboring hate while underscoring love?
While doing a final edit of this article, the Wethersfield police chief posted a Thank You letter, expressing gratitude to the public for standing by their side through this nationally publicized immoral denigration of a symbol of public safety:
(Be sure to read the robustly pro-police comments in response to the police chief’s letter.)
The night before composing this material, I viewed Trooper Pelletier’s wife’s eulogy, her soul-shattering words spoken through tears, especially the phrase “I just freakin’ miss you!”
What else is there to say?
The anti-police players are out.
The big lies about cops perpetuate.
Another brave policeman is eternally marked by a tombstone.
A widowed police wife is shattered by the horrific loss of her life partner.
A city’s governing board did wrong.
Pride is a cardinal sin.
The entirety of the Wethersfield police force needs prayers.
A fallen law enforcement officer’s young children are fatherless.
However, a Connecticut policeman who devoted his life to service for others ascends Heavenly.
The town council members who voted wrongly with hateful sentiments self-relegated to the bowels.
Yet, there is a novel positive in all of this…
(Photo courtesy of the Connecticut State Police.)
The Connecticut State Police revealed their gesture of retiring Trooper Pelletier’s police canine “Roso,” gifting the fallen cop’s crime-fighting partner to his family.
“The CSP K9 Unit anticipates an imminent retirement for K9 Roso, who will remain with the Pelletier Family.”
