HAWLEY -- The crowds went crazy at Wallenpaupack Area's football stadium Friday night as several Pennsylvania state troopers were recognized for their service and their relentless search for accused cop killer Eric Frein.
"It's one big sigh of relief that, finally, we can go out and not have to worry about someone in the woods and we're safe at night. But to come out here, honor him, knowing we are doing something for the state police, those who protect us and give back, it gives you chills," said Jack McLaughlin, a student.
Before the night's football match-up, students from Wallenpaupack Area and Delaware Valley read words of gratitude as others held the Pennsylvania state flag.
They also presented a check for the families from several fundraisers they put together.
"We sold countless shirts, we had to do a bunch of resales and created the bracelets. We were creating them all day. It was amazing," said Haley Miller, a student.
"I'm pretty sure I can speak for all of us that we all feel honored to be able to come out here for all of them, and it's really nice to be out here, to know that we're helping them to know that we're standing up for them. I think it's awesome," said Leanne Donegan, a student.
Troopers told Newswatch 16 it means the world to have this type of support from the community.
And they brought in Corporal Bryon Dickson's patrol car as a symbol, to let everyone know he will never be forgotten.
""Dedicated, motivated, family man, husband, father. His job, he was at the peak of performance," said Sgt. Brian Vennie of the Pennsylvania State Police.
"To be able to put Bryon Dickson's handcuffs on this individual, to be able to put him in the backseat of the very car that Bryon Dickson was about to go home to his family in, is unbelievable. It's very important to us," said Vennie.
The students raised approximately $5,000 through t-shirt and bracelet sales. Those funds are expected to be split between the families of Corporal Dickson and Trooper Douglass.