MONROE COUNTY -- It was an ambush attack that launched a massive manhunt in small wooded communities in the Poconos.
State police say Eric Frein, of Barrett Township, shot two troopers outside the Blooming Grove barracks on September 12, killing one and seriously wounding the other. After 48 days, Frein was captured near Tannersville.
"I’ll tell you, I think back on those 48 days and obviously it was a very stressful time for the members of the state police and other law enforcement agencies that assisted us here. At the same time, I also look back and I think of the way it pulled people together,” said Lieutenant Colonel George Bivens of the Pennsylvania State Police.
One year has passed since the attack at the barracks. For some, that’s hard to believe.
“My friends and I were just talking about it, it seems. But it did remind us of all the trouble that was around here and everything. It was crazy, that’s for sure,” said Jon Schulz of Barrett Township.
“There were people all over and a lot of media in just our little town. It was weird seeing Canadensis on national news,” said Megan Rinehart of Barrett Township.
During the manhunt and afterwards, people hung signs and ribbons in support of the state police and other members of law enforcement. State police say that support has never wavered.
"I've been back in this area a number of times over the past year and it, it has just not gone away. The people here have been so good to state police and I genuinely appreciate that,” said Bivens.
People Newswatch 16 spoke with say the what happened on September 12, 2014 and the days that followed isn’t something they like to talk about, but they say there has been one good thing to come from all of it.
“I think it helped everyone come together a little more. We all have each other’s back now,” said Rinehart.
Eric Frein is jailed, awaiting trial on charges including murder and attempted murder.
