ESU Hosts Memorial 5K Run for Trooper Killed by Eric Frein

Just a few of the almost 30 participants of the 5K. Photo Credit / Edita Bardhi Just a few of the almost 30 participants of the 5K. Photo Credit / Edita Bardhi
Just a few of the almost 30 participants of the 5K. Photo Credit / Edita Bardhi
Just a few of the almost 30 participants of the 5K.
Photo Credit / Edita Bardhi

Edita Bardhi
Contributing Writer

On the morning of Saturday, Sept. 10, family and friendsgathered around at the Eiler-Martin field of East Stroudsburg University to honor the passing of East Stroudsburg’s state trooper, Corporal Bryon Dickson.

In addition to being a police officer in the town of East Stroudsburg, Dickson was husband to Tiffany Dickson and a father of two children, Bryon III and Adam.

On Sept. 12, 2014, Dickson was shot and killed by Eric Frein.

The shooting occurred only 20 minutes away from ESU at the State Police Barracks in Blooming Grove, Pa.

Frein fled the scene and remained at large until he was located at an abandoned airport on Oct. 30.

In honor of Dickinson, the university hosts an annual memorial 5K run around the anniversary of his death.

“The race is done to help the Dickson family after losing Bryon,” stated Matt Summers, who organizes the event along with fellow students Samantha DiPietro and Nicholas Werkheiser.

The funds raised by the run are dontated directly to the family.

Summers explained that after the shooting many people had difficulty leaving homes, and doing simple tasks such as grocery shopping.

He said that the run is a good way to bring the community together again.

Saturday’s run was the second annual event. The route began at ESU’s Eiler-Martin Stadium and headed to Center Street.

It continued on towards the University Ridge before looping back to the finish line in the stadium.

Nearly 30 people participated this year.

Ben, a participant in the 5K, shared, “It was actually a really good course.

The hills are a nice addition to it; going downhill and then uphill.”

Peter, a soccer player and race participant, mentioned how running improves endurance. He stated, “the multiple downhills [on the route] made it the best 5K” he has ever run.

Among those in attendance was a group of state troopers Dickson’s wife, Tiffany, his younger son Adam, and his sister Stacey Hinkley.

Adam and Hinkley participated in the race.

Dickinson’s elder son Bryon was ill and could not attend or participate.

Chris, a police officer from New York, spoke out saying how we, as a community, are a family.

He was very happy to see himself finish the race, and says he is looking forward to doing it again next year.

Email Edita at:
ebardhi@live.esu.edu