'Return to Normalcy': Extreme Relief Over Frein's Capture

Photo: Governor Tom Corbett joins members of the Pennsylvania State Police to announce the capture of Eric Frein.

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Lawmakers and community leaders expressed extreme relief that the 48-day search for Eric Frein ended Thursday with the surrender of the man wanted for the September murder of a Pennsylvania State Trooper.

Frein, 31, who was on the FBI’s Most Wanted List, was captured Thursday evening near an abandoned airplane hangar in Tannersville.

“I thank the residents of northeast Pennsylvania and our partners in law enforcement agencies who have been involved in this mission,” Governor Tom Corbett said. “To the family of Corporal Dickson and the family of Trooper Douglass, let me assure you, justice will be served.”

Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) thanked law enforcement officers for their efforts to capture the suspect. “These brave law enforcement officers have worked day and night for weeks to ensure Eric Frein is captured. We owe these officers our deepest gratitude,” Casey said. “Tonight my thoughts are with the family of Cpl. Dickson and Trooper Alex Douglass and his family.”

Residents in the rural Pennsylvania communities that had been consumed with the events of Frein’s search and eventual capture were relieved to get back to normal just in time for Halloween. Many communities had banned trick-or-treating due to the search.

East Stroudsburg University President Marcia G. Welsh thanked law enforcement officials for keeping the campus safe during the search for Frein. “The dedication of these officers has been remarkable,” said East Stroudsburg University President Marcia G. Welsh. “My hope is that lives can now return to normalcy and we can all feel safe.”