A veteran Connecticut State Trooper was killed in the line of duty on Thursday afternoon when he was struck on Interstate 84 by a driver who left the scene, according to state police.
State Trooper First Class Aaron Pelletier was a nine-year veteran of the Connecticut State Police and a member of the 125th Training Troop, state police said.
He graduated from K9 Academy as part of the 223rd Patrol Dog Class in December 2021. His dog's name was Roso.
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“TFC Pelletier served the citizens of the state of Connecticut with an unwavering sense of dedication, pride and professionalism, and his sacrifice will never be forgotten,” Connecticut state police said in a statement.
He was a 2007 graduate of Southington High School and a 2011 graduate from Central Connecticut State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminology and a minor in Business and the university community is mourning his death.
The Department of Correction said Trooper Pelletier worked as a correction officer assigned to the Hartford Correctional Center until leaving to become a State Police Trooper Trainee on June 12, 2015.
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“The tragic loss of Trooper First Class Aaron Pelletier hits especially close to home as he was one of our agency’s correction officers prior to joining the ranks of the State Police,” Department of Correction Commissioner Angel Quiros said in a statement.
“Trooper Pelletier’s death serves as a reminder of the selfless sacrifice made each day by every member of the law enforcement community,” Quiros added.
TFC Pelletier leaves behind a wife, Dominique, and two young sons, 5-year-old Troy and 3-year-old Zachary, according to state police and Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz.
State police said Pelletier was outside of his cruiser for a traffic stop on I-84 East near exit 31 in Southington around 2:36 p.m. when a driver in a passing vehicle struck him and fled.
Pelletier died at the scene, state police said.
State police said they found the driver who struck him and took the person into custody.
Gov. Ned Lamont has directed U.S. and state flags in Connecticut to be lowered to half-staff in honor of Trooper Pelletier and remain lowered until sunset on the date of interment, which has not yet been determined.
“I am devastated to learn about the loss of Trooper First Class Aaron Pelletier, who was killed today in the line of duty while serving the people of Connecticut,” Lamont said in a statement.
“This is a tragic reminder about the dangers law enforcement face every day when they leave their homes and go to work. Trooper Pelletier served Connecticut with honor, integrity, and commitment, and he embodies the definition of public service. His courage and bravery will never be forgotten. On behalf of the State of Connecticut, my condolences and prayers go out to his family, friends, and brothers and sisters with the Connecticut State Police. I ask the people of Connecticut to keep Trooper Pelletier in their prayers,” Lamont added.
“We send our deepest condolences to the Pelletier family and to the Connecticut State Police force. Graduates like TFC Pelletier go out into the world and excel in their field of study. By all accounts his dedication to public service and community safety was unmatched,” Central Connecticut State President Zulma R. Toro said in a statement.
Faculty in the Criminal Justice and Criminology Department are heartbroken, with many noting that Pelletier was an outstanding student, the university said, and the Blue Devil family will join the rest of the state in flying flags at half-staff in honor of Pelletier until further notice from the governor.
The Connecticut State Police Union said Pelletier is the 26th Connecticut State Trooper to be killed in the line of duty since 1903.
