GOOD EVENING, THANKS FOR JOINING US, I'M LISA CARBERG. DENNIS HAS THE NIGHT OFF. Tonight, the State mourning the loss of trooper first class Aaron Pelletier. He was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver and tonight people are remembering him in many different ways. News 8's Bob Wilson is live in southington with the story. The impact, the loss, Deepb& Tonight people from all over the state, many Leaving flowers and cards and messages to a man they never knew, but respected, others coming by to say goodbye to a friend. Doug David Southington "I still can't look at them without crying so, it's a real tragedy!" News8 cameras kept a respectful distance from the State police cruiser in front of the funeral home in Southington. A steady stream of troopers and police, friends and loved ones came Pay pay respects, to say goodbye, and remember the man he was. *******Doug David Southington "I worked out with him at the Y, he was always at the Y, I am a part-time cop in Southington. He's a State Troop Our, we had a little bond going." Today officers stood at attention, saluting trooper first class Aaron Pellitier as his body was escorted to the funeral home. People came out of their businesses out of restaurants to stand by the side of the road and paying respect as he passed by. The daughter of a Waterberry police officer waited through the afternoon to respect him as he went by. "It's absolutely heartbreaking you know you get chills through your whole body, are you seeing it right in front of you, you feel every piece of it I feel for this family it just hits way too close to home." "it's just very sad and very quiet." "It's a great shame it's a great loss to Southington." "This is very sad very quiet it's a great shame a great lost a Southington. Today two small bouquets, fragile by the side of the highway, in the breakdown lane where he was hit and killed protecting others. State Police Troopers today on the job, taking time to grieve between shifts, thankful for the flowers the salutes the hugs and handshakes. A public service will be held Wednesday, 11 AM at The Xfinity center. *********Sgt. Luke Davis Connecticut in State Police "We are grateful for the outpouring of support from our fellow Partners in law-enforcement and fellow first responders and the public." STATE POLICE HAVE ALSO STARTED AN OFFICIAL FUNDRAISER APPROVED BY THEM AND THE FAMILY. IT'S A GOFUNDME PAGE. WE HAVE A LINK TO THAT FUNDRAISER ON OUR WEBSITE WTNH.COM. It has been a continuous stream here in front of the funeral home of people coming to lay reads cards and flowers. Live in Southington Bob Wilson
