NEWTOWN, Conn. — Gov. Ned Lamont announced on Friday afternoon that all U.S. and state flags in Connecticut should be lowered to half-staff on Monday, Nov. 4, from sunrise to sunset in honor of Botsford Fire Rescue Assistant Chief Pete Blomberg.
Officials say Blomberg, 72, was killed after being struck by a pickup truck around 6:15 p.m. Monday near the intersection of Church Hill Road and Dayton Street in Newtown. He was taken to Danbury Hospital with serious injuries, where he was pronounced dead.
According to a Facebook post from the Connecticut Fire Chiefs Association, Blomberg was crossing the street to attend a fire commission meeting. His death is being reported as having occurred in the line of duty.
A funeral service for Blomberg will take place Monday morning at St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church in Newtown.
“First Assistant Chief Pete Blomberg dedicated his career to fire prevention and the safety of our communities, and his line of duty death is an awful tragedy,” Lamont said, in a release. “My prayers and condolences are with his family and friends, his fellow firefighters who serve with the Botsford Fire Rescue, the entire Newtown community and all first responders who selflessly serve the public.”
Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz says in the release that the state is mourning the loss of a dedicated leader and beloved community hero who never failed to do whatever he could to help. She says Blomberg devoted more than 50 years of his life to protecting and serving the community that he loved.
“My heart breaks that his life was taken as he made his way to the annual Newtown Board of Fire Commissioners meeting,” Bysiewicz said. “This is yet another tragic reminder that we must do more to take care of each other and to ensure that we all make it home safely. We must all strive to be safer drivers – go slower and be much more cautious.”
Bysiewicz says her thoughts are with Blomberg’s loved ones and the Newtown firefighting community during an incredibly difficult time.
According to the release, Lamont’s directive mandates that flags will be at half-staff on the Connecticut State Capitol building and all other state-operated buildings, grounds and facilities across the state Nov. 4, from dawn to sunset.
Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities and any other private entities and government subdivisions are also encouraged to lower their flags during the same period.
No flag should fly higher than the U.S. flag, so all other flags, including state, municipal, corporate or otherwise should also be lowered, the release says.
Beyond his work with the fire department, Blomberg was a former custodian at Newtown Middle School, a carpenter, a certified State Fire Instructor, a father and a grandfather.
His fellow firefighters described him as a “great storyteller,” a “lover of rock music,” a “Harley Davidson enthusiast,” and a “devoted friend.”
A wake for Blomberg is being held on Sunday from 2-6 p.m. at Honan Funeral Home on 58 Main St. in Newtown.
Following the funeral at 10:30 a.m. on Monday at St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church at 46 Church Hill Road in Newtown, his burial will take place at St. Rose Cemetery in Sandy Hook.
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Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
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