Hundreds of people gathered in Southington on Tuesday to pay respects to a state trooper who was killed in the line of duty last week.
A line of people wrapped around Della Vecchia Funeral Home at 211 N. Main Street in Southington even before the wake began for Trooper First Class Aaron Pelletier.
TFC Pelletier was killed in the line of duty last Thursday when he was hit by a pickup while making a routine traffic stop on Interstate 84 in Southington.
Calling hours
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They are open for family and friends from noon to 3 p.m. and for members of the law enforcement community from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The calling hours are not open to the general public.
Local
Detours and road closures
The detours and road closures are in place from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Detours
All traffic traveling southbound on Route 10 will be detoured at the following intersections:
- Eastbound traffic at Flanders Road
- Westbound traffic at Curtis Street
All traffic traveling northbound on Route 10 will be detoured at the following intersections:
- Eastbound traffic at Berlin Street
- Westbound traffic at Columbus Avenue
Road closures
No traffic will be permitted on Route 10 beginning at the following intersections:
- Southbound at Chapman Street
- Northbound at Mill Street
Parking/shuttle for the services will be at:
- Calendar House Senior Center, 388 Pleasant St., Southington
- Joseph A DePaolo Middle School, 385 Pleasant St., Southington
The roads along these routes will be designated as "No Parking" and violators will be subject to towing and/or a fine, police said.
Changes to school schedule
Southington schools are closed on Tuesday and will dismiss early on Wednesday.
Southington Superintendent of Schools Steven Madancy said 200 to 300 vehicles are expected for the funeral processions so schools will follow the three-hour early dismissal schedule for the district on Wednesday.
The schedule for Wednesday will be:
High schools: No lunch served
- Southington High School: 7:37 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.
- Karen Smith Academy: 7:40 a.m. to 10:50 a.m.
Middle schools: No lunch served
- DePaolo and Kennedy: 8:05 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
Early elementary schools: Grab-and-go lunch
- Flanders, Hatton, Oshana, South End, Thalberg: 8:35 a.m. to 12:10 p.m.
Late elementary schools: Grab-and-go-lunch
- Derynoski, Kelley, Strong: 8:55 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Funeral arrangements
The Connecticut State Police Union is encouraging the public to celebrate Pelletier's life, service and sacrifice.
The doors to Xfinity Theatre will open at 9 a.m.
Members of the public attending the funeral are asked to park in the north lot extension.
Bags (including purses) flowers, gifts, and professional cameras will not be allowed in the venue.
United States Honor Flag
The U.S. Honor Network is honoring Trooper First Class Pelletier with the U.S. Honor Flag.
They said it arrived in Connecticut on Monday afternoon and was brought to the funeral home, where it has been placed by the casket, and will remain here on Tuesday and Wednesday.