Backlash against Wethersfield town council members who voted not to raise the thin blue line flag to honor fallen Trooper Aaron Pelletier has continued to mount, with some reportedly receiving death threats.
The decision not to fly the flag at Wethersfield’s town hall has been met with national headlines, a firestorm of social media posts, and even a rebuke from U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, who posted “this is ridiculous” on the social media platform X.
But dozens of local residents and state politicians also condemned the decision.
“What’s transpired in Wethersfield is, unfortunately, emblematic of the ideological virus that has infected a Connecticut Democrat Party that almost revels in its contempt for law enforcement. Local Democrats’ decision against flying the Thin Blue Line flag in honor of a brave trooper who tragically lost his life in the line of duty is bad enough, but this rant from an elected official the same week of Trooper First Class Pelletier’s funeral wasn’t just offensive — it was stupid,” House Republican leader Vincent Candelora said in a statement.
The controversy, fueled by the far right activist Libs of TikTok account, has sparked death threats and harassing phone calls, text messages and emails. Some of those messages have been graphic and others have even threatened to kill family members at their residences.
“I was getting a few hundred emails, calls and texts per day with insults and disparaging language directed at me,” said Democratic councilman Miki Duric. “I then started getting threats with someone telling me they were coming to my house and I had very real concerns for my family.
“The threats came from the same number. They called and left text messages and threatened my family. They said they were going to kill me” Duric said. “I wasn’t going to go right to the police, but it kept happening over a few days.”
Duric, who said the threats have now tapered off a little since last week, went to the police for help.
“The problem here was the way this whole thing was portrayed, which is we hate police. So once people see these headlines, they get triggered and enraged,” Duric said. “I responded to most of the emails about why I made my vote, and once I did, most of them got back to me and were much nicer.”
Duric, who is a first-term councilman and Bosnian refugee, said he is pro-police but voted against raising the thin blue line flag due to procedural reasons. Duric said the vote went against the town’s flag policy, which requires a request be made 30 days in advance. He said he will be having discussions in the future about possibly changing the flag policy.
The proposal to fly the “thin blue line” flag was struck down in a 5-3 vote June 4 after Republican councilman Rich Bailey asked the town to fly the flag to honor Pelletier on the day of his funeral the next day.
The controversy in Wethersfield shines a light on flag policies across the state and how municipalities are handling what flags can be flown. Wethersfield’s previous Republican majority on the council implemented a strict flag policy that allowed for only the U.S., Connecticut, and MIA-POW flags to be flown. But after a Democratic majority took control last November, the council adopted a list of approved flags including the Pride flag.
The thin blue line flag is a black and white U.S. flag with a single blue stripe running horizontally across the middle. It’s seen as a symbol of support for law enforcement, and is often flown to honor those who have died in the line of duty, according to advocates. But some say say the flag is set up in opposition to the Black Lives Matter movement, with associations to the far right and white supremacy. Police departments in Madison, Wisconsin and Los Angeles, California have banned the thin blue line flag as a result.
Councilwoman Emily Zambrello, who also voted against flying the flag, has also received death threats. She said in a statement to the Courant that she never intended to have her remarks overshadow Pelletier’s death and that civil discourse is necessary for a functioning democracy. Wethersfield police said they are aware of the threats and are actively investigating.
“Looking back at the events of the last week, I understand that I could’ve been more sensitive in my remarks about the flag that so many of our dedicated police and their families hold in esteem. I am sorry for any hurt I may have caused and that this situation distracted from Trooper Pelletier’s sacrifice,” Zambrello said.
“Since last Monday’s Council meeting I have received numerous threats and attacks based on my identity. This behavior is never appropriate in a civil society and I thank the Wethersfield Police Department for taking these threats seriously. I appreciate the people of Wethersfield who have respectfully engaged with me on this issue and have had many productive conversations with those who both agree and disagree with the Council’s decision. We need to be able to have serious, civil discussions without resorting to personal attacks or threats. Civil discourse is one of our best tools in keeping our democracy strong,” Zambrello said.
Mayor Ken Lesser said in a social media post last week that the town stands with the police, but that the current flag policy did not allow for the raising of the Thin Blue Line flag.
“The Town of Wethersfield stands with the State of Connecticut in honoring the life and service of Connecticut State Trooper First Class Aaron Pelletier. TCF Pelletier’s death is a reminder of the risks our police and first responders take each day and the unpayable debt of gratitude we owe them all,” Lesser said in a statement.
“A motion was made by a Town Councilor at last Monday’s Town Council meeting to raise a new, previously un-flown flag in Wethersfield, to further honor TCF Pelletier. As the proposed motion was not aligned with the flag policy adopted by the Wethersfield Town Council in February of 2024, the Council voted not to approve the motion,” Lesser said.
Wethersfield Police Chief Rafael Medina also issued a statement, thanking residents for their support.
“This week you took the reins and offered us support, assistance, and a sense of security. You are the reason we do what we do. You are why we come to work every day, knowing that the residents of Wethersfield truly support the men and women of the Wethersfield Police Department. For that, we are truly appreciative,” he said in part.
Stephen Underwood can be reached at sunderwood@courant.com
