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Learning The Ropes And Dangers of Law Enforcement

LACKAWANNA COUNTY — More than 70 campers are on the campus of Marywood University this week for Camp Cadet, run by the state police. The boys and girls, a...

LACKAWANNA COUNTY -- More than 70 campers are on the campus of Marywood University this week for Camp Cadet, run by the state police.

The boys and girls, ages 12 to 15, are learning the ropes and a bit about the dangers of law enforcement.

Sunday, the campers held a moment of silence for fallen Scranton Patrolman John Wilding.

The camp offers training similar to a police academy.

"I really don't know what I want to do when I get older so I thought this might be something good to learn about, maybe if I get older, maybe this is something I might want to do," said Mia Rudalavage of Eynon.

The cadets, as they are called, learn about forensics, state police history and more. They are also finding out just how dangerous it can be to be a member of law enforcement. Some say they try not to think too much about the risks.

"Yeah, but I really don't try to worry about that as much. I want to be a police officer just like my father, he's really inspired me to be one," said Dylan Walck of Lake Ariel.

Trooper Joshua Miller of the Swiftwater barracks was killed in 2009 after a chase and shootout with a suspect accused of violating a protection from abuse order.

Corporal Bryon Dickson of the Blooming Grove barracks died in September of last year. Investigators said he was killed in an ambush-style attack by Eric Frein.

Eric Williams, a corrections officer at a federal prison in Wayne County died in February 2013. An inmate is accused of ambushing and stabbing him.

Most recently, Scranton Patrolman John Wilding died after police say he fell chasing three robbery suspects.

"I think in our day and age everyone understands how dangerous our job can be. So it's nice to see the kids here who are still interested and not necessarily becoming police officers but having a better understanding of what we do," said State Police spokesperson Connie Devens.

There are more than 70 campers at the camp this summer. It runs at Marywood University in Lackawanna County through Friday when the cadets graduate.

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