Despite the flamboyant hats and cars with red lights, Pennsylvania state troopers tend to keep a low profile.
For obvious reasons, detectives avoid drawing attention to themselves.
Without saying a word, a trooper’s presence carries enough authority to slow traffic. That is why many drivers, even those who are not speeding, hit the brakes when a trooper’s car is parked on the side of the road.
While troopers stay busy breaking up domestic squabbles, removing drunk drivers from the road and slowing the spread of heroin, most of us sleep well, forgetting these battles are being fought in every neighborhood.
The daily dramas police navigate usually go unnoticed by the public.
Many of us didn’t appreciate how well police kept the peace until Sept. 12, when Eric Frein allegedly fatally shot one trooper and wounded another at the barracks in Blooming Grove.
Police became crime victims in a high profile case.
As a fugitive on the FBI Most Wanted list, Frein hid in the lush Pocono forests and disturbed the peace.
During the manhunt, hundreds of armed men in camouflage searched yards and neighborhoods.
Some members of the public complained. What was taking so long? The manhunt was inconvenient. Give up already, Frein surely is long gone by now, some said.
If the negative sentiments annoyed police, you could not tell. They kept emotions in check and continued until the job was done.
The Blooming Grove police barracks, scene of the shooting, was opened to the public this week after a two-month closure.
Lt. Christopher Paris, commander at Blooming Grove, said troopers are trained to control their emotions.
A line of around eight troopers and detectives stood quietly, watched speeches from a few top people and then humbly walked inside.
These were the Blooming Grove troopers who lost a brother. They worked to bring Frein to justice while mourning the death of Cpl. Bryon Dickson, 38, and worrying about the injuries suffered by Trooper Alex Douglass, 31.
They see Dickson’s locker and mailbox, which will forever be held open for him.
It is this small group of people who work out of the Blooming Grove barracks who have seen the worst on the Frein matter.
They would never ask for it, but they deserve credit for sticking to the state police motto to seek justice, preserve peace and improve the quality of life for all.
Meanwhile, a letter written by Frein and addressed to his parents was released in court documents this week. In it, Frein complains about the direction of the country and his desire to spark a revolution.
“Our nation is far from what it was and what it should be. … There is so much wrong and on so many levels only passing through the crucible of another revolution can get us back the liberties we once had,” Frein reportedly wrote.
No doubt Frein would appreciate lots of public discussion on his points.
And surely some suckers will take that bait.
Let us not allow a man who failed to take advantage of all the opportunity this county has to offer lead this conversation.
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