Volume 24, Issue 1 Winter 2015 FREIN CAPTURED: Search ends after 48 days The evening of make the arrest, said, “He had nowhere October 30, 2014, to go. There is nothing he could’ve brought closure done.” Malkowski added, “From what I to one of the saw, he felt defeated because we’d won. largest manhunts We’d defeated him.” in the history of Eric Matthew Frein was taken into the Pennsylvania custody by PSP using the handcuffs of State Police. the late Cpl. Bryon K. Dickson II who An exhaustive, Frein is accused of murdering outside diligent search the Blooming Grove PSP Station on that spanned 48 September 12. He was then driven back Dickson to the Blooming Grove Station in the same patrol car that Dickson was using We weren’t going to that horrific night. The troopers escorting Frein pulled the cruiser into the same stop until this fugitive spot in which Dickson left it the night “ of the shooting. Troopers begin a search for Frein in a heavily wooded area during was arrested. the 48-day manhunt. Frein was ready for the falling days came to an end when Eric Frein, 31, temperatures and prepared long in the hard work of everyone involved, adding, was spotted and captured” by U.S. marshals advance. Among the more than 100 items “We weren’t going to stop until this fugitive outside an airplane hangar in Pocono Town- recovered from the vacant airport hangar were was arrested.” ship, Monroe County. blankets, candles, flashlights, batteries, cloth- Numerous resources were used in the The marshals spotted Frein and took him ing, a weather band radio, medical supplies, a search, including canine teams, aviation sup- by surprise. Scott Malkowski, who helped propane stove, cookware, a shaving kit, laun- port, and tactical operations teams. This dry detergent, food seasonings, and a unwavering effort was made possible by a solar converter. myriad of federal agencies, state agencies Dr. Mary Ellen O’Toole, a retired from Pennsylvania and surrounding states, FBI profiler, said the meticulous and local agencies, all providing manpower planning undoubtedly aided Frein and resources. in avoiding capture and ensured he The PSP and assisting agencies kept remained relatively comfortable in intense pressure on Frein throughout the the process. search. They were intent on one purpose: “Justice will be served,” remarked capturing Eric Frein. Gov. Tom Corbett at the press The American Red Cross and countless conference announcing Frein’s volunteers worked tirelessly around the clock capture. Col. Frank Noonan, then- to provide hot meals and emergency personal Frein was taken into custody in Cpl. Dickson’s handcuffs and his patrol car. commissioner of the PSP, praised supplies for the hundreds of law enforcement Continued on page 7 © American Association of State Troopers, Inc. 2015. All Rights Reserved. Fellow Troopers, Highway campaigns, designed to keep the Patrol Officers, and State very people who criticize them This photo Police Officers, safe. They put themselves in of a “The backbone of our harm’s way every single day for Missouri nation’s domestic defense people they do not know, people trooper against terrorist attacks they are sworn to protect and to visiting an will continue to be the men serve. ill child and women in local law Where are these stories in our during the holidays enforcement and emergency papers and on news channels – is just one services.” Former Georgia when we all know that these types example of Senator Saxby Chambliss said it well. of true, real-life stories outweigh the positive How many of you would like to more the negative a thousand to one? side of law frequently hear positive comments like Please join me in person- enforcement this about America’s law enforcement ally contacting news outlets involvement in the Keith Barbier officers? How many of you are tired of with positive stories about our the negativity in the media directed at law law enforcement officers and by community. enforcement? posting positive stories in social If the media could see our officers media. It is apparently up to us to remind over the years, remains our operations through my lens for a week, they would the media and the public that our focus is manager. Our national HQ team is, as change their tune. I see hundreds of state to protect and to serve. Period. always, eager to assist you when and if troopers volunteering their time at Christ- AAST posts encouraging trooper needed at 800-765-5456. mastime to help brighten the holidays for stories on our Facebook page, www. Please visit us online at ill or underprivileged kids. I see countless facebook.com/statetroopers, and in the www.statetroopers.org to get more notes from stranded motorists, praising Connection. It is our duty and our privi- information about AAST or to make a troopers who stopped in a snowstorm lege to inform others about the positive donation to help support the services and to help. I see photos from around the activities of our nation’s troopers. benefits of AAST. country of troopers taking time to visit Also, please join me in welcoming Be safe out there and watch your six. with a child who is fascinated with their some new faces at our national headquar- Danger lurks at every stop. Nothing is uniform, lights, and siren. Troopers raise ters in Tallahassee. William Copp has routine. And never forget that you are money for brother and sister troopers been hired as our new executive director appreciated for the positive impact you in need. They memorialize their fallen on a part-time basis and has been working make on your community daily. brothers and sisters. to assist our executive board with per- Always remember: Every day’s a holi- I read story after story about our coun- sonnel management and organizational day, and every meal’s a feast. try’s law enforcement officers making issues for the past several months. Also a positive difference for others – using new to our national headquarters staff is creative safety messages to reach teen Kristina Vincent, membership services Fraternally, drivers; racing to the scene of a deadly coordinator, and Katie Reiff, administra- incident to rescue unknown people; risk- tive clerk; both Kristina and Katie are ing their lives daily for people they have working on a part-time basis as well. never met. And our rock, Joan Breeding, who many Keith Barbier They unite across state lines for safety of you know well and have worked with President Trooper Connection® is the official AAST Headquarters publication of the American Association 1949 Raymond Diehl Road of State Troopers, Inc. and is published Tallahassee, FL 32308 quarterly as a service to AAST members (800) 765-5456 in conjunction with National Officers Angie Ishee, Editor APL-American Publishing LLC ® Keith Barbier Bubba Blue Jenny DeBack, Owner We want to hear from you! Trooper Connection wel- comes your comments, photos, articles, and article ideas. President Third Vice President Bylined articles contain opinions of the AAST Public Relations Dept. writers and do not necessarily reflect (800) 477-9860 • [email protected] • www.statetroopers.org Jeff Lane Noel Houze Jr. AAST policy. © Copyright American Association of State Troopers, Inc. 2015 First Vice President Secretary NOTICE: The American Association of State Troopers, Inc. has no affiliation whatsoever with the National Association of Retired Troopers. AAST is not related to nor a part of any state police or trooper agency, nor is it affiliated with any other private entity or fraternal organization not specifically identified and acknowl- Lee Burch Kenneth Musick edged by AAST. (AAST is affiliated with the separate-but-related American Association of State Troopers Foundation, Inc.) For further information about AAST, please contact the National Office at 800-765-5456 or via e-mail, [email protected]. Second Vice President Treasurer 2____________________________________________________________________________ AAST Trooper Connection Winter 2015 AAST again on target at national championships Each year Albuquerque, N.M., is home to the world’s top shooters in the NRA-spon- sored National Police Shooting Championships. And AAST is proud each year to set apart the state trooper Cronin competitors by sponsoring the High Scoring State Trooper Award. The NPSC began in 1962 and is widely considered the world’s most prestigious law enforcement shooting com- petition. This year the prize for the high scoring trooper, The Texas DPS Pistol Team claimed several place awards during the nationals. a Springfield 4.0” XDS 9mm pistol provided by Springfield Noto Armory, was claimed by Lt. Col. Pat Cronin (ret.) of the Mississippi Highway Patrol with his total aggregate score of 6,565-346x of a possible 6,670. Dan Rawlinson, also of the MHP, came in a close second in the state category with his score of 6,549-358x. Final scores are an aggregate of three separate competitions: Police Shotgun, the Open Class 3,000, and the Service Pistol Championship. “State troopers have continually set the bar high at this world-renowned event,” Cronin said. “Our success in the shooting sport proves the Missis- sippi Highway Patrol’s dedication to excellence in training. We greatly appreciate AAST recognizing our success.” Cronin returned to the Mississippi Law Enforce- Odie Hitt, left, thanks NMSP Chief Pete Kassetas for attending AAST’s BBQ dinner during the matches. ment Officers Training Academy as the director following his 2007 retirement from the patrol. Nearly 300 competitors from across the world took part in the September matches, sponsored by the National Rifle Association. The Revolver Championship and the Semi- Auto Pistol Championship make up the individual national championship, and center shots known as Xs are used as tie-breakers.