People come from near and far to pay their last respects to the fallen soldier

SOUTHINGTON, CT (WFSB) – A funeral for a fallen state trooper was planned for Wednesday morning.

A motorcade for Private First Class Aaron Pelletier planned to travel from Della Vecchia Funeral Home in Southington to the Xfinity Theater in Hartford.

It was supposed to start around 10 a.m.

Southington Public Schools was planning to close its doors early due to the expected impact on traffic.

The funeral in Hartford was scheduled for 11 a.m.

Members of the public were invited. They were told to park in the northern extension of the parking lot. Hartford police said they will be on scene to assist with traffic and parking.

The theater prohibits bags, including purses, flowers, gifts and professional cameras.

People were also asked to arrive early.

A private burial was to take place at St. Thomas Cemetery in Southington.

Peletier would have been loved and appreciated by many people. A memorial installation outside the Southington funeral home has expanded since his death last week. Flowers and balloons were displayed around a police car.

On Tuesday, one by one, friends, family, brothers and sisters in blue came from here and elsewhere to honor Pelletier's life during calling hours.

He was a proud husband, father and friend to many.

That friendship was something Hartford Police Chief Jason Thody said he knew well.

Pelletier spent time with Hartford police in the detective division and was a member of the FBI task force.

“He quickly fell into the family,” Thody said. “He did a great job. The police force was his heart and soul and he continued to do a great job until the last day.

The community has also rallied behind the Pelletier family through donations that will financially support the family. A GoFundMe set up by the Connecticut State Police was just $5,000 away from its half-million-dollar goal. A link can be found here.

Stay with Channel 3 for continued coverage.

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