Mother of slain cop tears into Democrat town council for causing her a 'world of hurt' by refusing to fly the 'Thin Blue Line' flag in his honor and instead flying LGBTQ rainbow banner
The mother of a cop killed in the line of duty has slammed a town council for causing her a 'world of hurt' by refusing to fly the 'Thin Blue Line' flag in another dead officer's honor.
Democrat-run Wethersfield town council in Connecticut stirred controversy this month by voting down an attempt to have the Thin Blue Line flag flown in honor of Aaron Pelletier who was killed in the line of duty on May 30.
The motion failed 5-3 after the Democrats said the flag is racist and chose to fly the rainbow LGBT flag, that was already scheduled to fly for Pride month in June, at half-mast instead.
Slamming 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.'
Her son, Hartford Det. Robert "Bobby" Garten, was killed in 2023.
The mother of a cop killed in the line of duty, Bobby Garten (pictured) has slammed a town council for causing her a 'world of hurt' by refusing to fly the 'Thin Blue Line' flag in another dead officer's honor
Defending the Pelletier family, Debbie told councilors: 'I feel you all have missed the point of this flag request, which has caused a world of hurt to me as a lifelong resident of this town for 60 years, my family, residents of Wethersfield and the law enforcement community at large.'
Her son Bobby was killed in September 2023 when his patrol car was hit by another vehicle.
Seeing the Thin Blue Line flag flown after his death brought her comfort, she said: '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 holds a deeply personal meaning for me.
'It's a tribute to my son's sacrifice it symbolizes his honor, his strength, and his remembrance of all he stood for.'
She added: 'It represents society's gratitude, respect for the men and women who have put their lives on the line for the greater good.
'And it symbolizes solidarity; reminding us to support and uplift the families of fallen officers and to ensure that they are not left behind or forgotten.'
She said the media fall-out from the council's decision to fly the Pride flag at half-mast instead was 'embarrassing' and slammed some councilors' for doing television interviews on the topic.
'It was disheartening to witness the news coverage and hear the disrespectful and hurtful remarks made by some town council members especially as the week and funeral for First Class Pelletier was going on,' she said.
Speaking after Debbie at the council meeting on Monday, Wethersfield Mayor Ken Lesser announced the town will review its flag policy after the controversy.
The row arose this month after Pelletier was struck 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 honey, my home, my heart and my best friend.'
Her speech in front of hundreds of mourners came after the council declined the request to fly the Thin Blue Line flag, saying it was racist.
Dominique Pelletier choked back tears as she paid tribute at his funeral, remembering Aaron as 'my honey, my home, my heart and my best friend'
Aaron Pelletier (left), Trooper First Class, was killed on May 30 while conducting a traffic stop on a state highway. He leaves behind his wife, Dominique (right) and two young sons
The town council rejected an effort to have the Thin Blue Line flag flown in honor of Pelletier after branding it 'racist'. Instead the LGBT flag - which was already flying because it is Pride month - was flown at half mast
Emily Zambrello, a Democrat member of the council said of the Thin Blue Line flag: 'That flag was either created or at least became prevalent in direct response to the Black Lives Matter protests, which were fueled in part by the killing of George Floyd by police.
'It's viewed as antagonistic even if you don’t see it that way and I don’t think that’s a good flag to fly, especially not without further discussion.'
Fellow councilmember Brianna Timbro, a Republican, argued that the Thin Blue Line flag existed well before the Black Lives Matter riots - which erupted in 2020.
At a Pride ceremony at Wethersfield Town Hall, the rainbow LGBT flag flew at half-mast to honor Pelletier's sacrifice.
'We won't be raising the pride flag today. It's already up on the pole at half-staff in honor of his passing,' said state representative Amy Morrin Bello as she spoke at the ceremony.
Governor Ned Lamont, a Democrat, was in attendance at the ceremony. He had previously directed state flags to be flown at half-mast to honor Pelletier.
When asked what the Thin Blue Line flag means to her, Zambrello said it 'represents racism and antagonism to many, many people.'
'It's not appropriate to raise above out Town Hall, especially when our flag policy prohibits us from doing anything associated with hate,' she added.
She also said that it does not 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.
Social media commentator Libs of TikTok highlighted the incident on her well-trafficked account, writing: 'Watch fallen state trooper Aaron Pelletier’s wife honor her husband. Aaron leaves behind a loving wife and 2 young children who will now grow up without a father.
The suspect, Alex Oyola-Sanchez, 44, has been charged with 2nd degree manslaughter with a motor vehicle, operating while intoxicated, as well as operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance, failure to drive in proper lane, and evading responsibility resulting in death
Dominique Pelletier holds one her sons as her husband Connecticut State trooper Aaron Pelletier's casket is carried out of the Xfinity Theater after his funeral in Hartford, Conn., on Wednesday, June 5
Motorcycles from state and local law enforcement agencies escort Connecticut State Trooper Aaron Pelletier into Xfinity Theater for his funeral in Hartford, Conn.
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,' and added 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 staff to honor Aaron. They refused a request to fly the American thin blue line flag because it “represents racism and antagonism.”
'This is how Democrats honor a fallen officer. How degrading and disrespectful. There’s no low for them.'
Texas Senator Ted Cruz, a staunch defender of 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 town's Facebook page.
'What disgusting behavior! The people who voted to not fly the blue line flag are hopefully 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 tracked down and arrested.
The suspect, Alex Oyola-Sanchez, 44, has been charged with 2nd degree manslaughter with a motor vehicle, operating while intoxicated, as well as operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance, failure to drive in proper lane, and evading responsibility resulting in death.
Cops claim he was on a dizzying array of drugs at the time of the collision, including fentanyl and cocaine.
Oyola-Sanchez is being held on a $5million bond. He had previously served a federal sentence for murder and was arrested for homicide in Puerto Rico.
A GoFundMe for Pelletier's wife and children raised over $660,000.
