HARTFORD, Conn. — Connecticut State Trooper Aaron Pelletier was laid to rest Wednesday as friends, family, and law enforcement attended a memorial service at the Xfinity Theatre in Hartford to pay their respects.
The procession was led by Middletown Pipes and Drums with a eulogy by Colonel Daniel Loughman, Laudren Karadimos on behalf of Dominique Pelletier, Trooper First Class Darren Connolly, and Trooper First Class John Such.
"Aaron served with integrity and empathy," Loughman said. "He took the oath of office in 2015. And until last Thursday, he lived by the words I will serve honestly and faithfully. Our state is truly a lost a dedicated servant."
The 34-year-old leaves behind his parents, brother, sister, wife and two young sons, five-year-old Troy and three-year-old Zachary.
Pelletier's wife, Dominque, said, "I know how much Aaron was loved, but I had no idea the impact he had on so many of his fellow troopers."
Fighting back tears as she delivered his eulogy, she said, "You weren't just my husband, you were my home. You were my heart. You were my safe place and my provider."
Aaron Pelletier's brother, Michael Pelletier, reminisced on childhood memories and thanked the Connecticut community Pelletier laid down his life to protect and serve.
"I know my brother is laughing and watching with that grin we'll all miss," Michael Pelletier said. "My brother may be gone, but I know I will always find peace when I see his face. And my nephew Troy and his antics and Zach...thank you all for the love and support you have showed Dom and the boys and my brother Aaron."
As they saluted an American flag-draped basket, they pledged to never forget the hero inside, whose smile and spirit will live on through his children.
"The light in our smiles will forever be dimmed," Dominique Pelletier said. "And the thought of this world without that laugh seems unimaginable. But it's already become real. I promise to keep you alive in our home, in our heart, and in our boys memories forever. I love you and I miss you. I just frickin miss you."
The funeral liturgy included an opening prayer and homily by Father Joseph Cronin.
It was learned during the ceremony that Aaron Pelletier will receive the life-saving medal and the medal of honor for rescuing a motorcycle driver following a crash, one week before a crash had ended his life.
Law enforcement agencies from all six New England states and beyond were present as a show of support and solidarity on a grand scale.
Maine State Police Maj. Luke Hare said, "I think it's important for us to all remember that sacrifice Trooper Pelletier made."
"It really doesn't matter what uniform you wear; we do the same job," Trooper Rick Carpenter of Pennsylvania State Police said. "We are all brothers and sisters doing the same job."
Carpenter also noted that he saw a law enforcement agency from Texas arrive and noted that it "makes an impact" to "see something like that."
"We all want to show our support, at the end of the day, it is one family, one team, one fight," Carpenter said.
The agencies came from across Connecticut with the same mission - to honor and remember Aaron Pelletier.
New Jersey State Police Lt. Alina Spies said, "We come out especially to support the brothers and sisters that we do have in law enforcement and also to show the family that they are gone but not forgotten, but it's always to support their service."
Lt. Col. John Pinkham of Massachusetts State Police, which had a showing of upwards of 100 state police members, said, "We work so closely with Connecticut and appreciate everything that Connecticut does for us and with us and so to come here and demonstrate that commitment to each other, it's important."
West Virginia State Trooper Rhode Jadotte added that "it's important because one of our fallen brothers fell in the line of duty, and it's important for us to represent the state of West Virginia and support our fellow law enforcement agencies."
"You know we are grieving with them and we're just here to support them and let them know their loved one will never be forgotten - that we are here to support them," said Col. Mark Hall of New Hampshire State Police.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to the Tunnels to Towers Foundation or to a GoFundMe page for his family that has been approved by state police. As of Wednesday evening, the GoFundMe page had already raised a remarkable $554,000.
The Connecticut State Police Union said that those who would rather donate by check can send donations by mail to the State Police Union at 111 Founder's Plaza, Suite 500, East Hartford, CT 06108, noting that all funds will be given to the family.
Southington Public Schools had an early dismissal at 11:15 a.m. Wednesday.
Aaron Pelletier was struck and killed last week on Interstate 84 in Southington by 44-year-old 44-year-old Alex Oyola-Sanchez, according to officials.
At the time he was hit, Aaron Pelletier was outside of his cruiser after pulling over another vehicle for a traffic violation. The report stated that he and the driver of the other car were on the right shoulder.
While Aaron Pelletier was speaking with the driver, Oyola-Sanchez drifted into the right shoulder, struck Aaron Pelletier's cruiser, and then Aaron Pelletier himself.
Oyola-Sanchez continued driving without stopping until his tire failed in the area of Exit 39A in Farmington. Officials charged Oyola-Sanchez with second-degree manslaughter with a motor vehicle, evading responsibility resulting in death, driving under the influence, and failing to drive in the proper lane, among several charges.
Oyola-Sanchez was held on a $5 million bond at the time of his arrest.
Aaron Pelletier, 34, of Southington, was born on Aug. 6, 1989, in New Britain, as the son of Michael and Dianne (Fournier) Pelletier.
He also leaves behind his wife Dominque, his two sons Troy Michael and Zachary Matthew, his brother Michael Pelletier and wife Courtney of Bristol, his sister Christine Outeiro and husband John of Plainville, his paternal grandmother Catherine Pelletier of Bristol, his mother-in-law Patricia LeBeau of Southington, his father-in-law Peter English of Burlington, his family dogs Zeus and Molly and Snoopy the cat.
During a press conference Thursday, Daniel Loughman, CSP's commanding officer, spoke highly of Pelletier. He said Pelletier entered the state police training academy on June 12, 2015, and was a member of the 125th training troop.
Upon graduating in December 2015, Pelletier was assigned to Troop H in Hartford, Loughman said.
"In addition to patrol, he held a variety of specialized assignments throughout his career, including as K9 handler attached to the emergency services unit," Loughman said, adding that Pelletier graduated from the CSP K9 Academy as part of the 223rd Patrol K9 Class in December 2021.
At the time of his death, Pelletier was still assigned to Troop H patrol with his K9 partner Roso, according to Loughman.
“[Thursday], we marked the 121st anniversary of the establishment of the Connecticut State Police. With great sorrow, I tell you that TFC Pelletier becomes the 26th Connecticut trooper to die in the line of duty," Loughman said during the press conference.
Loughman praised the professionalism, compassion, and dedication that Aaron Pelletier exhibited as a member of CSP and said that he had left behind a wife and two young children.
Gov. Ned Lamont ordered flags at half-staff in honor of Pelletier until Wednesday evening.
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