The funeral services for Trooper First Class TFC Aaron Pelletier will be held on Wednesday, June 5 at the Xfinity Theatre in Hartford.
Meanwhile, the Connecticut State Police have confirmed that there is only one approved fundraiser for the family of the late Trooper First Class TFC Aaron Pelletier.
Pelletier, a 34-year-old husband and father of two young boys, was killed Thursday afternoon while doing a routine traffic stop along I-84 in Southington. An allegedly intoxicated driver veered partly onto the highway’s shoulder and hit Pelletier, who had gotten out of his patrol car to talk with a motorist he’d pulled over for a possible seatbelt violation, according to police.
Pelletier was hit at 2:36 p.m., and leaders in Southington — where he lived — are asking for a moment of silence in his memory on Monday at 2:36 p.m.
Pelletier’s death impacted thousands of people, including grief-stricken officials who are pleading with drivers in the state to slow down, follow the law on moving over for emergency vehicles and to respect other drivers on the roads.
State police said there is only one “approved fundraiser for the family of our fallen brother, TFC Aaron Pelletier.”
“Out of an abundance of caution for those who attempt to capitalize in a time of tragedy, this GoFundMe page is the only CSP authorized fundraiser source for the Pelletier family at this time,” state police said.
“This page was created by TFC Pelletier’s brothers and sisters at Troop H, and has been approved by the Pelletier Family. All proceeds will go directly to TFC Pelletier’s family.”
The fundraiser highlights the level of grief at the loss of “an amazing father, husband, and friend whose life was tragically cut short on 5/30/2024.
“During a traffic stop, Aaron was struck and killed by a passing vehicle. The grief and sadness caused by Aaron’s sudden death cannot be properly expressed in words. As a Connecticut State Trooper, Aaron was a friend and brother who will be remembered for his easy smile, quick jokes, and willingness to train and teach new Troopers,” it said. “More importantly, Aaron’s dedication and love for his wife and two boys knew no bounds.”
“Aaron will never be forgotten and be remembered fondly by everyone who knew him,” the post said. “Rest in peace brother, we will take it from here.”
A state trooper since 2015, Pelletier was building a notable career. He was trained as one of the agency’s canine handlers, and had been chosen in 2018 to conduct a ride-along with WTNH to publicize automated license plate readers in patrol cars.
Alex Oyola-Sanchez, 44, of 584 Zion St., Hartford, initially was being held in lieu of $5 million bail, state police said. That amount was lowered to $1.5 million when he appeared in court Friday. He is due back in court on June 6.
Oyola-Sanchez is charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, second-degree manslaughter with a motor vehicle, failure to drive in the proper lane, evading responsibility in a case involving death, failure to renew registration, operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance, and failure to move over for an emergency vehicle, state police records show.
The following is an excerpt from the obituary for Pelletier, printed with the permission of his family. The full obituary can be seen online and in print Tuesday June 4.
TFC Aaron Matthew Pelletier, 34, of Southington passed away tragically on May 30, 2024. He was the beloved husband of Dominique Marie Pelletier.
He was born on August 6, 1989 in New Britain, CT the son of Michael and Dianne (Fournier) Pelletier of Southington. Aaron graduated Southington High School in 2007 and graduated Central Connecticut State University in 2012. Aaron joined the ranks of the Connecticut Department of Correction on June 14, 2013. He worked as a Correction Officer assigned to the Hartford Correctional Center until leaving on June 12, 2015 to become a member of the 125th Training Troop as a State Police Trooper Trainee. On December 17, 2015, Aaron graduated from the State Police Academy and was assigned to Troop H in Hartford, where he would later be assigned to the Hartford FBI Task Force. Aaron graduated the Connecticut State Police K9 Academy as part of the 223rd patrol K9 class in December 2021 with K9 partner Roso. In February of 2022 Aaron and K9 Rosso became certified as a Firearms Detection Team. He was also assigned to the Tactical Team as a canine handler.
Aaron was a dedicated husband and father to his family. His strong family morals were evident with the love that was expressed in every moment and photograph shared with them. Everything revolved around their happiness even if it meant him taking it to the 100th exponential (when Dominique wanted chickens, he built her the coop!). When not on duty, they were always together; whether during routine duties, traveling, spending precious vacations at their home in Eagle Lake, ME., any outdoor activity, this is what made him feel happy, loved and complete. Aaron was an avid Dallas Cowboys fan, he was a member of the CT Lawmen traveling softball league, whose members were his 2nd family. He shared his passion for softball by being a T-ball coach for his son Troy’s team at Southington West Baseball.
In addition to his wife Dominique and parents he leaves two sons, Troy Michael and Zachary Matthew Pelletier, 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.
He was predeceased by his niece Morgan Elizabeth Pelletier, his maternal grandparents Claude and Edwina Fournier and his paternal grandfather Albert Pelletier.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, June 5 at the Xfinity Theatre, 61 Savitt Way, Hartford, CT. at 11 am. Private calling hours will be on Tuesday, June 4 for family and friends from 12-3 p.m. and members of the law enforcement community from 5-8 p.m. at the DellaVecchia Funeral Home, 211 N. Main St. Southington. Burial will be private at St. Thomas Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Aaron’s memory to: Tunnels to Towers Foundation, at 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306 or T2T.org or at https://shorturl.at/8G7xj.
For online condolences, please visit www.dellavecchiasouthington.com
