Connecticut
Mother of fallen Connecticut detective admonishes town council after refusal to fly 'antagonistic' flag
A mother of a fallen Connecticut detective admonished a Democrat-led town council after it voted against flying the “thin blue line” flag in honor of a recently slain trooper.
Debbie Garten, the mother of Hartford police Det. Robert “Bobby” Garten, who was killed in the line of duty in September 2023, shared a heartfelt testimony at the Wethersfield town council meeting on Monday on why the “thin blue line” flag matters to those who have lost a loved one in the line of duty.
“I understand that you may have your own viewpoints and policies, but I want to share a few of my thoughts with you,” Garten said. “Was this issue mishandled? Without a doubt.”
Garten said the situation has caused her a “world of hurt.”
CONNECTICUT TOWN REFUSED TO FLY ‘ANTAGONISTIC’ ‘BLUE LINE’ FLAG TO HONOR FALLEN TROOPER
Debbie Garten, the mother of fallen Hartford Det. Robert “Bobby” Garten, gave heartfelt testimony on why the “thin blue line” flag matters to families of slain officers at a Wethersfield Town Council Meeting on June 17. ( Weathersfield Town Council)
“I feel you all have missed the point of this flag request, which has caused a world of hurt to me as a lifelong resident of this town for 60 years, my family, residents of Wethersfield and the law enforcement community at large,” she said. “The impact of this council’s action is immeasurable.”
She said that the fallout after the decision was “an embarrassment.”
“When the Pelletier family was mourning the loss of Trooper First Class Aaron Pelletier, some council members chose to appear on television and, in essence, I feel, embarrassed themselves and the town of Wethersfield,” Garten said.
“It was disheartening to witness the news coverage and hear the disrespectful and hurtful remarks made by some town council members, especially as the week and funeral for First Class Pelletier was going on,” she said.
Connecticut State Police First Class Trooper Aaron Pelletier, who was killed in a hit-and-run on May 30, was laid to rest on June 5. (Connecticut State Police)
The mother of the fallen officer said that she appreciated seeing the unveiling of her son’s name on the Connecticut Law Enforcement Memorial and seeing a row of “thin blue line” flags flying in Washington, D.C.
“Beyond honoring fallen officers, the blue line flag supports families,” Garten said. “It shows that they are not alone in their grief, and that there is a network of individuals who understand and empathize with our pain.”
She added that the flag symbolizes a “united community” that can band together after experiencing the loss of a fallen hero.
“This flag symbolizes a united community that offers comfort, compassion, and assistance to all those who have experienced this unimaginable loss,” she said. “The thin blue line holds a deeply personal meaning for me. It’s a tribute to my son’s service and sacrifice, it symbolizes his honor, his strength, and his remembrance of all he stood for.”
Hartford Police Department Det. Robert “Bobby” Garten, 34, was killed when his cruiser was struck by another vehicle that police say was fleeing an unrelated traffic stop in September 2023. (City of Hartford)
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She said, in part, that while the flag “cannot erase the pain or fill the void” left behind by a fallen officer, it does represent “society’s gratitude” toward those who have died in the line of duty.
“It represents society’s gratitude, respect for the men and women who have put their lives on the line for the greater good, and it symbolizes solidarity; reminding us to support and uplift the families of fallen officers and to ensure that they are not left behind or forgotten,” Garten said.
Garten formally requested that the town council raise the “thin blue line” flag for two weeks in May 2025 – one week for the National Police Week and one week for the Connecticut Police Memorial ceremony.
“May your bravery and sacrifice never be forgotten,” she said. “Rest in peace.”
Her statement came after members of the Wethersfield Town Council turned down a bid to fly the “thin blue line” flag in a 5-3 vote after a spirited debate where some described them as “white supremacist” and “antagonistic.”
WATCH: CONNECTICUT TOWN VOTES DOWN ‘THIN BLUE LINE’ FLAG TO HONOR FALLEN TROOPER
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In a recording of the town council meeting in June, Democratic Councilmember Emily Zambrello is heard saying that the flag was “viewed as antagonistic.”
“That flag was either created or at least became prevalent in direct response to the Black Lives Matter protests,” Zambrello said. “It’s viewed as antagonistic even if you don’t see it that way and I don’t think that’s a good flag to fly, especially not without further discussion.”
In an interview, Wethersfield Mayor Ken Lesser suggested that the flag had racist ties.
“It is now being used by white supremacist groups and other far-right types of groups,” Lesser said. “And even many police departments around the country and in Connecticut have said that ‘we don’t authorize to use that flag’.”
Thin Blue Line USA describes the “thin blue line” flag as a symbol that represents the police officers who separate order from chaos. (iStock)
The disagreement began after Connecticut State Trooper First Class Aaron Pelletier, 34, was killed in a routine traffic stop last month – leaving behind a wife and two young boys.
Republican Council Member Rich Bailey suggested the town raise the “thin blue line” flag over town hall in honor of Pelletier’s sacrifice – immediately commanding outrage from the majority Democrats on the council.
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The thin blue line is a symbol that represents the police officers who separate order from chaos, according to Thin Blue Line USA, a company that sells merchandise featuring the flag supporting law enforcement, veterans and first responders.
“The thin blue line flag is flown to show support for our heroes in law enforcement and serves as a consoling reminder they will always be there to protect us,” the Thin Blue Line USA website reads. “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 fallen in the line of duty.”
HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — Five Connecticut towns will collectively receive $10 million in grants for infrastructure upgrades, according to a Monday announcement by Gov. Ned Lamont.
The Connecticut Department of Housing (DOH) is awarding $10.7 million to Coventry, Guilford, Ledyard, Mansfield and Thomaston to modernize and rehabilitate housing for low- and moderate-income residents, the announcement said.
The funds are being released through the DOH’s Community Development Block Grant’s small cities program, with funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. To be eligible, a municipality must have fewer than 50,000 residents.
Cost Breakdown
Coventry: $2 million
Town of Coventry plans to use funds to upgrade, with a focus on making Orchard Hill Estates compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Guilford: $2 million
The Town of Guilford plans to use funds to design and build future affordable housing projects, consisting of up to 16 rental units and 8 homes.
Ledyard: $2 million
The Town of Canton requested funding for the first phase of affordable housing for people in Ledyard and the surrounding area. Habitat for Humanity of Eastern Connecticut is in the pre-development phase of the Colby Drive and plans to create 38 units.
Mansfield: $2.2 million
Funding will be used for upgrades to Wright’s Village, including roof replacements and sidewalk repairs.
Thomaston: $2.5 million
Funds will be used to make Green Manor ADA-compliant, including the installation of a new emergency call aid system.
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Connecticut
Florida High School State Bronze Medalist Dajah German Verbals To Connecticut For Fall 2027
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Florida high school state bronze medalist Dajah German has announced her verbal commitment to swim and study at the University of Connecticut beginning in the fall of 2027. She publicized the news on SwimCloud, writing:
I am so excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at the University of Connecticut! I’m incredibly grateful for everyone who has supported me throughout this journey, my family, coaches, teammates, and friends who have pushed me to be my best throughout the years. And a very special thank you to Coach Chris and Coach Nicole for believing in me and giving me this opportunity. I’m so excited for what’s ahead. GO HUSKIES!
A rising senior at Fort Lauderdale High School in Florida, German trains year-round with Swim Fort Lauderdale and primarily specializes in the sprint and middle-distance freestyle events.
German has improved each year of her high school career, most recently dropping from 23.78, 51.39, and 1:50.56 in the 50/100/200 free to 23.54, 51.35, and 1:49.69 during the 2025-26 short course season.
German’s top meet of the season was the Florida Senior Championships in March, where she recorded her current PBs in both the 50 and 200 free. She finished second in the 500 free (4:55.94) and 1650 free (17:02.78), third in both the 50 free and 200 free, and fifth in the 100 free (51.43). She set her current 100 free PB at a smaller holiday meet in December. In the 500 free, she clocked a season-best 4:55.21 at the Speedo Cup in January, with her lifetime best of 4:53.19 coming at the 2025 Florida Senior Championships.
German has qualified for the FHSAA (Florida High School Athletic Association) State Championships for the past three years, with her top performance coming at the 2025 iteration in November. She placed third in the 50 free (23.96), fifth in the 500 free (5:01.12), and helped Fort Lauderdale to fourth place in both the 200 free relay (24.64 leadoff) and 400 free relay (53.08 anchor).
Top SCY Times:
- 50 Freestyle: 23.54
- 100 Freestyle: 51.35
- 200 Freestyle: 1:49.69
- 500 Freestyle: 4:53.19
A Division I Mid-Major program, Connecticut competes in the Big East, with the women’s team placing second out of seven teams at this past season’s conference championships. German’s current lifetime bests would have placed third in the 200 free, fourth in the 500 free, eighth in the 50 free, and ninth in the 100 free, setting her up as an immediate contributor with two full seasons of training still ahead before her first conference meet.
German joins Anna Mumford, Lyla Devlin, Lena Brown, and Louisa Holda in committing to the Huskies’ class of 2031 so far.
If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to [email protected].
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