A Democratic-led town council in Connecticut has refused to fly the “Thin Blue Line” flag, which commemorates state troopers killed in the line of duty, with one council member calling it “antagonistic.”
After a heated debate about the flag, Wethersfield City Council members voted 5-3 to reject a proposal to display the “thin blue line,” saying the flag has “hostile” connections to “white supremacy.”
In a recording of the town council meeting, Democratic City Councilwoman Emily Zambrello can be heard saying the flag is “viewed as hostile.”
“That flag was created, or at least popularized, as a direct response to the Black Lives Matter movement,” Zambrero said. “Even if you don't see it that way, it's perceived as hostile. I don't think it's a flag that should be flown, especially without further discussion.”
In an interview, Wethersfield Mayor Ken Lesser suggested the flag has racist connections.
“This flag is now being used by white supremacist groups and other far-right groups,” Lesser said. “And even a number of police departments around the country and in Connecticut have said, 'We're not going to allow the use of this flag.'”
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Ohio sheriff's deputies raised the “Thin Blue Line” flag on Sunday after an American flag was stolen during protests over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. (iStock)
The feud began when 34-year-old Connecticut State Police Private First Class Aaron Pelletier was killed during a routine traffic stop, leaving behind a wife and two young sons.
Republican City Councilman Rich Bailey proposed flying a “thin blue line” flag at City Hall in memory of Pelletier, but drew immediate outrage from the council's majority Democrats.
On May 30, 2024, Trooper First Class Aaron Pelletier was killed when he was struck by a hit-and-run driver during a traffic stop on Interstate 84 in Southington, Connecticut. (Connecticut State Police)
According to Thin Blue Line USA, a company that sells flag-themed merchandise in support of law enforcement, veterans and first responders, the thin blue line is a symbol that represents police officers separating order from chaos.
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“The Thin Blue Line flag is flown to show support for our police heroes and serves as a comforting reminder that they are always there to protect us,” according to the Thin Blue Line USA website. “For those who walk it, the Thin Blue Line is a reflection of courage, a pledge of brotherhood and a tribute to those who have lost their lives in the line of duty.”
Connecticut State Police Trooper First Class Aaron Pelletier, who was killed in a hit-and-run accident on May 30, will be buried on June 5, 2024. (Connecticut State Police)
“I am extremely disappointed in this situation,” Republican City Councilwoman Brianna Timbro said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
“There are many ways this issue could have been handled, but I believe the way this was handled is disrespectful not only to TFC's Aaron Pelletier and his family, but also to law enforcement agencies across the country.”
The disagreement over flying the “Thin Blue Line” flag came after the city council was scheduled to fly the Pride flag to mark LGBT Pride Month.
“They had already scheduled the raising of the Pride flag on the 4th,” Timbro said. “During the ceremony, State Assemblywoman Amy Morin Bello (D) made statements that indicated she would show respect to TFC President Aaron Pelletier by not raising the Pride flag and instead lowering it to half-staff.”
The Thin Blue Line flag is displayed to show support for law enforcement. (STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)
Democratic City Councilwoman Miki Dulic told Fox News Digital that her opposition to flying the “Thin Blue Line” flag stems from current policy, rather than the flag itself.
“I was not commenting on the flag itself. My comments were about our current policy, the process of how we vote on the flag,” he said.
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Durick pointed Fox News Digital to a recent Facebook post in which he noted that Councilman Bailey was aware of town policy requiring special flag applications to be submitted 30 days prior to a meeting, but that he had failed to do so.
“Our flag policy was adopted in February 2024, but this meeting has shown that it is not a perfect policy. We find that we need to amend it and allow some flags to be flown on short notice. I have been personally involved in the development of the current policy and I will be involved in amending it as well,” he said.
Officer 1st Class Aaron Pelletier, his wife Dominique, and their two sons. (Connecticut State Police)
More than 1,500 people turned out to say goodbye to Pelletier at his funeral on June 5 at Hartford's Xfinity Theatre.
Pelletier's wife, Dominique Pelletier, spoke at the funeral, recalling her husband's sacrifice.
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“The light of our smiles will fade forever,” she said. “You were more than just my husband, you were my home. You were my heart, my best friend and the keeper of my secrets.”
“He juggled the demands of his career with the needs of his family and never let one overshadow the other,” Dominique said.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Mayor Lesser for comment.
Sarah Lampe Whitten is a breaking news reporter for Fox News Digital and Fox Business.
She is originally from Massachusetts and is based in Orlando, Florida.
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