Connecticut City Council refuses to fly Thin Blue Line flag for police officer killed in the line of duty

A predominantly Democratic city council in the US state of Connecticut has sparked controversy after refusing to fly the “Thin Blue Line” flag for a police officer who was killed in the line of duty last week.

Wethersfield City Council rejected the request to fly the flag – which is traditionally flown in support of police – on the grounds that it is a symbol of division and racism for some people.

Councilman Rich Bailey (R) suggested the city fly the “thin blue line” flag over City Hall in honor of 34-year-old Connecticut State Trooper First Class Aaron Pelletier, who was killed last week after a hit-and-run driver attempted a traffic stop.

However, at the council meeting on Tuesday, the proposal did not receive enough votes to pass: three in favor, five against and one abstention.

The council consists of six Democrats and three Republicans.

Instead, the LGBTQ Pride flag, which had already been raised for Pride Month in June, and other flags such as the American flag and the state flag flew at half-mast.

“We’re just trying to pay respect to a fallen police officer,” Bailey told WTNH News 8.

“At home, the flag with the thin blue line represents the police. They protect us and are our first line of defense,” he added. “They are always there, they are always here and they are always there for us.”

Other council members, however, said the flag had taken on a new meaning in recent years.

“For many, many people, this is a symbol of racism and hostility,” Emily Zambrello (Democrat) told the local news station. “And if you personally don’t believe that and you fly in front of your own house and think it means something to you, that’s a much more positive thing — but a lot of people just don’t think about it that way.”

“It is inappropriate to fly it over our city hall, especially since our flag policies prohibit us from doing anything associated with hate.”

Wethersfield Mayor Ken Lesser, who was among those who voted no, said an alternative to the “thingy, the blue line” flag, the flag of first responders, was offered to honor the fallen soldier.

“The first responder flag recognizes all first responders – police, firefighters, emergency responders. The ‘blue line’ flag was designed for police officers and has been around for over 100 years. It is now used by white supremacists and many police groups have abandoned the flag.”

Bailey, a retired fire chief whose father was a police officer, would not accept the first responders’ flag as a replacement.

Pelletier, the police officer killed by a suspected drug-induced driver, was buried Wednesday in the presence of thousands of people.

His widow and mother of his two young sons paid her last tearful tribute to her husband at the ceremony.

“To my darling, you were not just my husband,” said his wife Dominique. “You were my home. You were my heart. You were my refuge and my provider. My best friend. My secret keeper. My favorite gossip.”

“The light in our smiles will fade forever and the thought of this world without that laughter seems unimaginable but has already become a reality,” she said. “I promise to keep you alive forever in our home, in our hearts and in our boys’ memories. I love you and I miss you.”

With post wires