The mother of a police officer killed in the line of duty has criticized the city council for causing her a “world of pain” by refusing to fly the “Thin Blue Line” flag in honor of another dead officer.
The Democratic-run Wethersfield City Council in Connecticut sparked controversy this month by rejecting an attempt to fly the Thin Blue Line flag in honor of Aaron Pelletier, who was killed in the line of duty on May 30.
The motion failed 5-3 after Democrats said the flag is racist and opted to fly the LGBT rainbow flag, which was already scheduled to fly during Pride month in June, at half-mast.
Criticizing their decision at a council meeting on Monday, the mother of a second fallen officer, Debbie Garten, said: “The impact of this council’s action is immeasurable.”
His son, Hartford Det. Robert “Bobby” Garten, was murdered in 2023.
Bobby Garten (pictured), mother of a police officer killed in the line of duty, slammed the city council for causing her a “world of pain” by refusing to fly the “Thin Blue Line” flag in honor of another dead officer .
Defending the Pelletier family, Debbie told council members, “I feel that you all have misunderstood the purpose of this flag request, which has caused me great pain as a lifelong resident of this city for 60 years.” , my family, the residents of Wethersfield and the law enforcement community at large.
His son Bobby died in September 2023 when his patrol car was hit by another vehicle.
Seeing the Thin Blue Line flag flying after his death gave him comfort, saying, “This flag symbolizes a united community that offers comfort, compassion and assistance to all those who have experienced this unimaginable loss.”
‘The thin blue line has a deeply personal meaning to me.
“It is a tribute to my son’s sacrifice; it symbolizes his honor, his strength and the memory of everything he stood for.”
And he added: ‘It represents the gratitude of society, the respect for the men and women who have risked their lives for the greater good.
‘And it symbolizes solidarity; reminding us to support and encourage the families of fallen officers and ensure they are not left behind or forgotten.’
He said the media fallout from the council’s decision to fly the Pride flag at half-mast was “shameful” and criticized some councilors for doing television interviews on the issue.
“It was disheartening to witness the news coverage and hear the disrespectful and hurtful comments made by some city council members, especially as the week and the funeral of First Class Pelletier unfolded,” he said.
Speaking after Debbie at Monday’s council meeting, Wethersfield Mayor Ken Lesser announced the municipality will review its flag policy after the controversy.
The dispute arose this month after Pelletier was run over and killed by a suspect high on cocaine and fentanyl while conducting a routine traffic stop on a state highway on May 30.
His widow Dominique choked back tears as she paid tribute at her husband’s funeral, remembering him as “my love, my home, my heart and my best friend.”
His speech to hundreds of mourners came after the council rejected a request to fly the Thin Blue Line flag, saying it was racist.
Dominique Pelletier choked back tears as he paid tribute at his funeral, remembering Aaron as “my darling, my home, my heart and my best friend.”
Trooper First Class Aaron Pelletier (left) died May 30 while conducting a traffic stop on a state highway. He leaves behind his wife, Dominique (right) and two young children.
The city council rejected an attempt to fly the Thin Blue Line flag in honor of Pelletier, calling it “racist.” Instead, the LGBT flag, which was already flying because it is Pride month, flew at half-mast.
Emily Zambrello, a Democratic council member, said of the Thin Blue Line flag: “That flag was created or at least prevailed in direct response to the Black Lives Matter protests, which were fueled in part by the police killing of George Floyd. .
“It’s considered antagonistic even if you don’t see it that way and I don’t think it’s a good flag to fly, especially without further discussion.”
Councilwoman Brianna Timbro, a Republican, argued that the Thin Blue Line flag existed long before the Black Lives Matter riots, which broke out in 2020.
At a Pride ceremony at Wethersfield Town Hall, the LGBT rainbow flag flew at half-mast to honor Pelletier’s sacrifice.
‘Today we will not raise the pride flag. It’s already up the pole at half-staff in honor of her passing,” said state Rep. Amy Morrin Bello as she spoke at the ceremony.
Democratic Governor Ned Lamont attended the ceremony. He had previously ordered state flags to fly at half-staff in Pelletier’s honor.
When asked what the Thin Blue Line flag means to her, Zambrello said it “represents racism and antagonism to many, many people.”
“It is not appropriate to elevate our City Council, especially when our flag policy prohibits us from doing anything associated with hate,” he added.
He also said it doesn’t matter if the Thin Blue Line flag means something different to some people, who choose to fly it on their personal property as a sign of solidarity with the law enforcement community.
TikTok social media commenter Libs highlighted the incident on her highly-trafficked account, writing: ‘Watch the wife of fallen State Trooper Aaron Pelletier honor her husband. Aaron leaves behind a loving wife and two young children who will now grow up without a father.
The suspect, Alex Oyola-Sanchez, 44, has been charged with second-degree manslaughter with a motor vehicle, driving while intoxicated, as well as operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance, failure to drive in the proper lane and evading. liability resulting in death.
Dominique Pelletier holds one of her children as the casket of her husband, Connecticut State Trooper Aaron Pelletier, is carried out of the Xfinity Theater following his funeral in Hartford, Connecticut, on Wednesday, June 5.
Motorcycles from state and local law enforcement agencies escort Connecticut State Trooper Aaron Pelletier to the Xfinity Theater for his funeral in Hartford, Connecticut.
When asked what the Thin Blue Line flag means to her, Democratic Councilwoman Emily Zambrello (pictured) said it “represents racism and antagonism to many, many people,” adding that it doesn’t matter if others believe the flag is a way to honor the men in blue
‘Democrats led by Emily Zambrello decided to fly the PRIDE FLAG at half-mast to honor Aaron. They rejected a request to fly the thin blue line American flag because it “represents racism and antagonism.”
‘This is how Democrats honor a fallen officer. How degrading and disrespectful. There is nothing low for them.’
Texas Senator Ted Cruz, a strong advocate for the law enforcement community, responded to Libs of TikTok’s post, simply writing: ‘This is ridiculous.’
Some Wethersfield residents expressed their discontent with the council’s decision by commenting on the city Facebook page.
‘What disgusting behavior! Hopefully the people who voted not to fly the blue line flag will be voted out of office. When it comes time to vote, remember this,” wrote Sheila Bekker Ierardi.
The driver of the vehicle that killed the nine-year veteran of the force fled the scene, but was later located and arrested.
The suspect, Alex Oyola-Sanchez, 44, has been charged with second-degree manslaughter with a motor vehicle, driving while intoxicated, as well as operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance, failure to drive in the proper lane and evading. liability resulting in death. .
Cops say he was using a dizzying array of drugs at the time of the collision, including fentanyl and cocaine.
Oyola-Sanchez is being held on $5 million bail. He had previously served a federal sentence for murder and was arrested for manslaughter in Puerto Rico.
A GoFundMe for Pelletier’s wife and children raised more than $660,000.