Professional athletes, state police play ball to honor Trooper First Class Aaron Pelletier

HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) – Saturday celebrities, public figures and a few local legends took to the field at Dunkin’ Park for a charity softball game in honor of Trooper First Class Aaron Pelletier.

Some of the celebrities that played against a group of Connecticut State Troopers included Shane Spencer of the New York Yankees, Tebucky Jones from the New England Patriots and Rob Dibble from the Cincinnati Reds.

Dibble told News 8, “Aaron’s out there on the highways keeping us safe, that’s what these people do and I respect them at the highest level. So, listen, it was a no-brainer to come out here and do this.”

The cause hit closer to home for some of the celebrities as they are from the Constitution State.

New Britain native and Head Coach for the New York Knicks, Tom Thibodeau, stated how important it was, “… being part of the community, coming in to honor the legacy of Aaron Pelletier, and try to lend some support to his family — his wife, his two kids..”

The News 8 Team even got in on the action with our own John Pierson and Alyssa Taglia playing in today’s game.

Funds were raised during the game through ticket sales and a silent auction of autographed memorabilia. All money collected in the game went to the family of TFC Pelletier.

Connecticut State Police hope to to turn the game into an annual event.

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