BLOOMING GROVE TWP. — Gov. Tom Corbett vowed Monday that authorities will not rest until the gunman who ambushed state troopers at Blooming Grove police barracks Friday night is arrested.
Standing about a mile from where gunfire killed Cpl. Bryon Dickson and wounded Trooper Alex Douglass, Mr. Corbett called the attack an “assault on society.”
“This is an assault that is not only just on the individual troopers, it’s an assault on the state police,” he said. “It’s an assault on law enforcement. ... When somebody lays in ambush and assassinates one trooper and attempts to assassinate (and) severely injures another.”
The governor thanked law enforcement for devoting every minute to finding the shooter, and urged everyone to respect the privacy of the families. He called on the public to pray for the soul of Cpl. Dickson and for Trooper Douglass’ swift recovery.
“A lot of work, a lot of man hours going into this, but I know...nobody is going to let a minute go by we’re not investigating this.”
Following his brief statement, Mr. Corbett traveled to Lackawanna County where he met with Cpl. Dickson’s family in Dunmore, and spent about 20 minutes with Trooper Douglass and his family at Geisinger Community Medical Center in Scranton. State police officials said Trooper Douglass is conscious and stable.
As he exited GCMC Monday afternoon, Mr. Corbett declined to discuss his visit with Trooper Douglass.
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