State Police: Trooper Shot Dead Outside Barracks
BLOOMING GROVE, Pa. (KDKA/AP) — A late-night ambush outside a state police barracks in Pennsylvania's rural northeastern corner left one trooper dead and another critically wounded, and authorities scoured the densely wooded countryside and beyond on Saturday looking for the shooter or shooters.
State Police Commissioner Frank Noonan said a "very dangerous, armed criminal" eluded quick capture.
KDKA's David Highfield Reports:
"This attack was an ambush. Our troopers were ... shot without warning and really had no chance to defend themselves," Noonan told reporters Saturday afternoon. "It's a cowardly attack. It's an attack upon all of us in society."
The dead lawman was identified as Cpl. Bryon Dickson of Dunmore, a seven-year veteran who had transferred to the region from the Philadelphia barracks several months ago. Trooper Alex Douglass underwent surgery and was in critical but stable condition, Noonan said.
"This is unbelievably heartbreaking to all of us. Both of them were young troopers," said Noonan.
He provided few details on the shooting but said the attack was directed at state police. Law enforcement installations throughout eastern Pennsylvania were put on high alert.
"It has touched us to the core that such a thing could happen," Noonan said.
The slain trooper was married with two young sons. He was described by friends as devoted to work and family.
"They were a committed couple," Melissa Contorno, a friend of Dickson's wife, told The (Scranton) Times-Tribune. "They were raising a beautiful young family. It's not fair."
Police interviewed a man they called a "person of interest," but Noonan said authorities are talking to hundreds of people as part of the investigation. He stressed the man is not a suspect.
The troopers were ambushed around 10:50 p.m. Friday as one of them was leaving the barracks in Blooming Grove, Pike County, and another was arriving. The barracks is in a wooded area, surrounded by state game lands.
Law enforcement officials from across the region, including New York and New Jersey, descended on the Pocono Mountains to help with the search on foot and by helicopter.
"There has been exhaustive search conducted by hundreds of members of law enforcement," said Lt. Colonel George Bivens. "We have canvassed the wooded areas, neighborhoods. We are convinced this individual is no longer in that immediate area."
Several roads around the barracks, including parts of Interstate 84, were closed Saturday. Blooming Grove is a township of about 4,000 people about 35 miles east of Scranton.
Watch state police's latest press conference here:
Investigators don't know the motive. They're asking people in the area to be cautious.
"I understand that many members of the community are concerned, and I wish I could lessen their concern, but we have a very dangerous armed criminal," said Noonan.
Trooper Adam Reed, a state police spokesman, said the barracks covers most of Pike County, which runs along the Delaware River and borders New Jersey and New York.
"There's a lot of rural area up where they patrol," he said. "As the primary police force in the county, they're going to respond to anything and everything."
Dickson is the 98th state trooper to be killed in the line of duty.
Gov. Tom Corbett ordered all Pennsylvania flags at state facilities to fly at half-mast and said he was praying for the slain trooper's family as well as the injured colleague. He canceled all campaign appearances for the day.
Flags will remain at half-staff until Dickson's funeral.
"Be vigilant out there, particularly out there in area of northeastern Pennsylvania, and to be patient as the investigation is being conducted by the state police," Gov. Corbett said.
He also released this statement on the shooting:
"Our prayers go out to the family, friends and colleagues of the Pennsylvania State Police trooper who was killed in the line of duty Friday night outside the Blooming Grove, Pike County, state police barracks. We are praying as well, for the full recovery of his colleague who was injured in the incident.
"Every attack on an officer of the law is an attack on our state, our country and civilized society. The incident in Blooming Grove shows, once again, that our first responders face constant danger in order that the rest of us may live in peace and safety.
"At this time, State Police Commissioner Frank Noonan and Pennsylvania State Police troopers are working with local and other law enforcement agencies to apprehend the person or persons who carried out this cowardly act. We ask the public to be patient as well as vigilant."
Sen. Pat Toomey has released this statement:
"Kris and I extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Cpl. Bryon Dickson, who courageously gave his life in the defense of the people of Pennsylvania, and Trooper Alex Douglass, who has been grievously wounded. Our prayers are with you.
"Every day, Pennsylvania's nearly 30,000 law enforcement officers place themselves at risk in order to protect each of us. We can never truly repay that debt. And when one of our officers falls, we will never forget."
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