State police spent about $11 million on the manhunt for a survivalist charged in the ambush slaying of a trooper outside his barracks, according to a cost breakdown released today. Thousands of law enforcement officers from the Pennsylvania State Police and numerous other state and federal agencies took part in the 48-day search for Eric Frein, who was captured by US marshals outside an abandoned airplane hangar in the Pocono Mountains on Oct. 30. State police spent $10.5 million on personnel, including $6.9 million for overtime and $2.8 million for benefits. Other costs included travel, utilities, and equipment.
Frein is charged with opening fire on the Blooming Grove state police barracks two months ago, killing Cpl. Bryon Dickson and seriously wounding a second trooper. After his arrest, Frein confessed to what he called an "assassination" and told police he did it to "wake people up" and spur a change in government, according to court documents released Thursday that provided the first indication of motive. Police also found a letter that Frein, 31, addressed to "Mom and Dad" that said he wanted to spark a revolution, the documents said. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for Frein, who has not entered a plea. (More Eric Frein stories.)