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Cpl. Dickson’s Parents Relieved After Capture

FALLS — While many have been following the search for Eric Frein closely, none of us has watched and waited in the way Corporal Bryon Dickson’s fami...

FALLS -- While many have been following the search for Eric Frein closely, none of us has watched and waited in the way Corporal Bryon Dickson's family has for nearly seven weeks.

Newswatch 16 talked with Cpl. Dickson's mom and dad at their home near Falls about the capture of their son's accused killer and their gratitude for all who searched for him.

The man in an orange prison jumpsuit with the bruised and cut face is charged with killing a state trooper. But more than that, he's accused of stealing a father, husband, and son.

Corporal Bryon Dickson's family was left waiting weeks for word of this arrest.

"I cried, I was overwhelmed."

Mom Darla and dad Bryon Dickson said the wait for this capture was long and hard.

But this arrest brings mixed emotions, including immense gratitude for the hundreds in law enforcement who spent 48 days searching in the woods.

"We can't thank them enough. They, too, have put their life on the line. Each trooper is just as dedicated as our son was. They give their life every day," said Darla Dickson.

"I can't say I'm overly excited about the whole thing. I know it may sound kind of strange, but it's really not over," said Bryon Dickson.

Because the Dicksons don't get their son back, the boy they raised to become a U.S. Marine and state trooper.

Cpl_Bryon_Dickson1975-2014

"He didn't like to be pushed around. He stood his ground at a young age and that's indicative of his character and that fits state trooper really well," Darla Dickson said.

But Cpl. Dickson didn't get to stand his ground that night when his parents say he was cowardly ambushed.

"If he at least got to see the guy. He was coming off of work, going home to his wife and our grandkids, and he didn't get that chance," Bryon Dickson said.

The support that followed their son's death amazed the Dicksons, especially the thousands in law enforcement that came to his funeral to support them, their daughter-in-law and grandsons, and the many, many prayers coming from near and far.

"It's been overwhelming. It's surreal. Everybody that's been involved in this, it's not just one little neck of the woods. It's all over the U.S. and even in other countries now," Bryon said.

"How do you say thank you?" Darla asked. "You can't give back except from the heart. So to them, love you, thank you, every heart that gave, every heart that prayed, every heart that stood with us, thank you."

Cpl. Bryon Dickson's parents feel differently about the district attorney seeking the death penalty.

His mom doesn't want death, just justice. His dad told us he wouldn't mind Frein becoming a living organ donor.

Click here for complete coverage of the search and capture of Eric Frein.

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