Thousands mourn slain trooper
SCRANTON, Pa. — Thousands of state troopers and police from around the country turned out in northeastern Pennsylvania Thursday to mourn a slain fellow trooper even as other officers intensified the search for his elusive killer.
Eric Matthew Frein, described by authorities as an anti-government survivalist, faces first-degree murder and other charges.
More than 1,000 fellow officers — including state troopers and police from New York, New Jersey, Chicago, and Minnesota — stood in formation.shoulder to shoulder, in front of the church.
The flag-draped coffin of the 38-year-old former Marine was carried through the streets in a silver hearse in a procession led by hundreds of officers on motorcycles, their red and blue lights flashing.
From the altar, Father Thomas Muldowney, Pennsylvania State Police chaplain, told the congregation, "We gather here in sorrow, disbelief and anger. But most importantly we gather here in faith."
He then raised the "singular question" that he said was on everyone's mind: "Why did this heinous act of violence take place?" He asked why there are evil people in the world "who do not respect human life."
While Muldowney said Dickson's death might beg the question as to whether God exists, he called on them to take note that "Bryon's life was truly a gift from God himself."
"Although our hearts today are heavy with grief, may we celebrate a life well-lived and find peace as we remember the many happy and special times that we shared with our fellow brother," he said. "May we believe that he is in a place where he will continue to watch over us as we move forward."
Gov. Tom Corbett was among those in attendance. Thousands of others mourned at Dickson's solemn viewing Wednesday in the rotunda of Marywood University in Scranton.
Meghan Barbour, 32, has been on the Pennsylvania force almost 10 years. She serves in the Harrisburg barracks and, like the vast majority of officers here, didn't know Dickson.
"Every officer out there, they are my brothers and my sisters'," she said. "We are all committed to finding him. We are not afraid. We will not back down."
State Police Maj. Joseph Reed, one of hundreds of law enforcement officers here for the funeral, said he did not know Dickson personally. But he knew his work.
"He was an outstanding performer," said Reed, 56, who commands a post two hours south of here. "Every officer is touched by the tragedy. We're sad at the loss of a brother, but also determined to catch his killer."
"There have been a lot of concerns expressed about community safety and specifically the safety of our children attending schools in the area," State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens said. "While we can never completely rule out an act of violence, I am convinced that Frein has engaged in a personal battle with law enforcement, specifically the Pennsylvania State Police, and will likely stay focused on that fight."
"As I did the other day, I'd like to directly address Eric Frein again. "Eric, in the event you are listening to this broadcast on a portable radio, while cowering in some cold damp hiding place — we are coming for you," said Bivens. "And it's only a matter of time until we bring you to justice for this cowardly attack."
