Thousands of police join family to mourn CT Trooper Aaron Pelletier at funeral (2024)

Thousands of law enforcement officers and others joined the family of Trooper First Class Aaron Pelletier in celebrating his life at the Xfinity Theatre in Hartford on Wednesday.

Pelletier, a husband, father of two young boys and beloved colleague, was killed Thursday afternoon, reportedly hit by an intoxicated driver while conducting a traffic stop along I-84 in Southington.

Police and fire trucks lined overpasses Wednesday morning to drape American flags over I-84 as Pelletier’s body was driven from his hometown of Southington to Hartford for the funeral services. His wake, held at the Della Vecchia Funeral Home in Southington on Tuesday, was also attended by large crowds of family and friends. Pelletier, a Southington native, graduated from Southington High School and was raising his family in town, according to his obituary.

The mood was somber as the sound of bagpipes and drums broke through a largely silent crowd at Xfinity Theatre. Pelletier’s casket was carried in by his fellow troopers from Troop H in Hartford where he was assigned. Some saluted, others wept and some bowed their heads as the casket, draped in the American flag, was carried to the front of the stage. Fellow troopers, family and friends spoke of Pelletier’s sense of humor, commitment to his family and dedication to his community.

Col. Daniel Loughman, who has led the Connecticut State Police since April, said Pelletier, the 26th Connecticut state trooper killed in the line of duty, embodied integrity. His death, Loughman said is a tragedy, “a life cut short, a promising future cut short, a tremendous loss for all of us in Connecticut.”

Pelletier is being posthumously awarded the lifesaving medal and medal of honor, Loughman said. The lifesaving medal, Loughman said, is for his actions on May 23, a week before his death, when he responded to a motorcycle crash and found the operator lying in the road. He recognized a torn artery in the man’s arm, used his hands to close the artery and applied a tourniquet to both arms, certainly saving the man from bleeding to death, Loughman said.

The medal of honor, Loughman said, is for Pelletier’s “selflessness, courage and devotion to keeping our state’s highways safe.”

Troopers First Class Darren Connolly and John Such shared stories of serving with Pelletier and offered a message to Pelletier’s family.

Connolly said “he was a talker. He never met a stranger without a smile from ear to ear, he was impossible to get mad at unless you were one of his sergeants investigating one of his many department accidents. He had a knack for wrecking cruisers …”

Becoming a Connecticut state trooper was Pelletier’s lifelong dream, Connolly said.

“He was the embodiment of a wonderful human, friend, father, son, brother and loving husband to Dom. We stand together in silence, listening for one more word, looking for one last smile, until we hear that voice again, 536.”

Such offered remarks on behalf of Pelletier’s best friend and a message to his wife.

“We promise to stand by your side, offering our unwavering support of love just as Aaron did for all of us. You are not alone; we are family, bound by his legacy and we will always be here for you and the boys, today, tomorrow, forever,” Such said.

In one of the more emotional moments, his wife, Dominique Pelletier, shared how her husband had wooed her with the gift of animals, constant support and devotion to their family. Fighting back tears she said that her husband brought joy and stability to her family’s life.

“He balanced the demands of his profession with the needs of his family. Never letting one overshadow the other,” Pelletier said. “In a room full of police officers, my challenge to all of you is to make time to make memories. It’s OK to say no to the overtime shift from time to time.”

“I just miss you,” she said, closing in tears before walking off stage.

Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff said in a joint statement,“Today the state of Connecticut honors the memory of State Trooper First Class Aaron Pelletier. In this time of profound sorrow, we extend our thoughts and prayers to his family and the entire law enforcement community.

“We acknowledge the heavy burden they bear and offer our deepest sympathies on this difficult day. TFC Pelletier’s dedication and service to the community will always be remembered. His sacrifice will never be forgotten, and his legacy will continue to inspire us all.”

Family of fallen state trooper takes part in ceremony at Hartford Yard Goats game

Connecticut State Police have said there is one approved fundraiser for the family of Pelletier.

PHOTOS: Memorial flowers for late CT Trooper Aaron Pelletier

“Out of an abundance of caution for those who attempt to capitalize in a time of tragedy, this GoFundMe page is the only CSP authorized fundraiser source for the Pelletier family at this time,” state police said. As of Wednesday morning, more than $500,000 had been donated to the fundraiser.

Pelletier was born in New Britain on Aug. 6, 1989,according to an obituary. He graduated from Southington High School in 2007 before attending Central Connecticut State University, where he graduated in 2012, the obituary said.

He joined the Connecticut Department of Correction in June 2013 and left the agency two years later to become a state trooper. He graduated from the Connecticut State Police Academy in December 2015 and was assigned to the Troop H barracks in Hartford.

He was killed while conducting a routine traffic stop last Thursday on I-84 in Southington just before Exit 31, state police said. Pelletier was walking back to his cruiser during the stop when he was struck by a passing motorist just before 2:45 p.m.

The driver took off from the scene.

State police said they apprehended the man responsible,identified as 44-year-old Alex Oyola-Sanchez, nearby after his vehicle became disabled.

He remains held on a $1.5 million bond on manslaughter, evading responsibility and other charges, records show.

CORRECTION: Col. Daniel Loughman was referred to as Interim Col. in a previous version of this story. Loughman, who was named interim colonel last November, was sworn in as state police colonel in April.

Stephen Underwood can be reached at sunderwood@courant.com