Lackawanna County native Paris served at Pike County barracks during 2014 Frein ambush. Bivens led 48-day hunt for Cpl. Dickson’s killer.

HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Colonel Christopher Paris will retire January 2, 2026 to accept a position with the FBI, Governor Josh Shapiro announced Wednesday.

Lieutenant Colonel George Bivens—the officer who led the 48-day manhunt for Eric Frein after the 2014 ambush that killed Corporal Bryon Dickson at the Blooming Grove barracks in Pike County—will become Acting Commissioner on December 31, 2025.

The leadership transition carries deep significance for northeastern Pennsylvania. Paris, a Lackawanna County native, was the lieutenant in charge of Blooming Grove barracks when Frein opened fire on September 12, 2014. Bivens became the public face of the largest manhunt in state history as law enforcement pursued Frein through the forests of Pike and Monroe counties.

“Colonel Paris has served the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania with the utmost integrity and distinction for 26 years, leading one of the largest police agencies in the nation while strengthening accountability and improving public trust,” Shapiro said. “Lieutenant Colonel Bivens is a seasoned, respected leader with decades of experience who will step in and lead the State Police with steadiness and resolve.”

Paris: From Dunmore to the FBI

Paris, 49, grew up in Dunmore and graduated from Scranton Preparatory School in 1994 and the University of Scranton magna cum laude in 1998. He earned his law degree from Temple University in 2004 and is an active member of the Pennsylvania Bar.

He enlisted in the Pennsylvania State Police in 1999. By 2013, he was the lieutenant commanding the Blooming Grove barracks—a rural Pike County station that would become the site of the deadliest attack on Pennsylvania law enforcement in decades.

On September 12, 2014, Frein ambushed the barracks during a shift change, killing Cpl. Bryon K. Dickson II, 38, of Dunmore, and critically wounding Trooper Alex Douglass, 31. The attack launched a massive manhunt that drew international attention.

Paris rose through the ranks after the tragedy, serving at Troop R in Dunmore, the Bureau of Integrity and Professional Standards, and as Deputy Commissioner before Shapiro nominated him as Commissioner in January 2023. The Senate confirmed him unanimously.

As Commissioner, Paris led PSP through high-profile cases including the July 2024 attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump at a Butler County rally, which prompted his testimony before the House Homeland Security Committee. Under his leadership, PSP secured funding for twelve cadet classes to train more than 1,000 new troopers.

The nature of Paris’s new FBI position was not disclosed.

“It has been an honor to lead the dedicated men and women of the Pennsylvania State Police, and I am proud of the work we’ve done together,” Paris said. “Serving the people of Pennsylvania in this capacity has been one of the greatest privileges of my career.”

Bivens: The Manhunt Commander

Bivens, a Johnstown native, joined PSP in 1985 and spent his early career in southwestern Pennsylvania. He was promoted to lead the Bureau of Criminal Investigation in 2008 and reached lieutenant colonel in 2011.

But it was the Frein manhunt that made him a household name in the Poconos.

For 48 days in the fall of 2014, Bivens led daily press briefings from the Blooming Grove Township Municipal Building as nearly 1,000 officers, agents, and investigators pursued Frein through the dense forests around Canadensis in Monroe County. The self-described survivalist and war reenactor had planned the attack for years.

“In some ways, I almost think that some of this is a game to him,” Bivens told reporters during the search, describing how Frein repeatedly slipped through containment perimeters in the rugged Pocono terrain.

Officers found a trail of evidence: an AK-47, pipe bombs, Serbian cigarettes, soiled diapers Frein used to avoid leaving camps, and a journal detailing his movements. Frein was captured October 30, 2014 at the abandoned Birchwood Resort in Pocono Township—restrained with Dickson’s handcuffs and transported in Dickson’s patrol car.

Frein was convicted in 2017 and sentenced to death. Pennsylvania’s moratorium on executions remains in effect.

Trooper Alex Douglass, who survived the ambush after multiple surgeries, has publicly praised Bivens. When Bivens was demoted in 2016 after a new administration brought in different leadership, Douglass said he was shocked.

“I thought Col. Bivens handled himself with absolute credibility, integrity, and professionalism,” defense attorney Michael Weinstein said at the time.

Bivens was given the choice to retire or accept the demotion. He stayed, was reassigned to the Bureau of Gaming Enforcement, and eventually regained his rank. He has since led other high-profile manhunts, including the 2023 search for escaped murderer Danelo Cavalcante in Chester County and the 2023 pursuit of Michael Burham after his Warren County jail escape.

“Colonel Paris has built an extraordinary legacy of leadership, professionalism, and commitment to public safety, and I am grateful for his guidance throughout my career,” Bivens said. “I look forward to working with the dedicated men and women of PSP to continue our mission of keeping Pennsylvania communities safe.”

A Decade After Blooming Grove

The leadership change comes just months after the 10th anniversary of the Blooming Grove ambush. In September 2024, Paris, Bivens, Douglass, and Dickson’s widow Tiffany gathered to reflect on the tragedy.

Douglass, who has since recovered, married, and completed the New York City Marathon, opened his old locker at Blooming Grove—sealed since the attack—to mark the anniversary.

Tiffany Dickson, who ran a 5K the morning after her husband was murdered because she needed the distraction, told reporters she remains “still married to Bryon” in her heart.

The Frein manhunt reshaped PSP training protocols. Paris and Bivens now use it as a teaching tool for officers facing similar situations.

Cpl. Dickson, a former Marine, left behind his wife and two sons. He was 38 years old.

PSP Troop Information for Monroe, Wayne, Pike Counties:

• Troop N, Hazleton (covers parts of Monroe County): 570-459-3890
• Troop R, Dunmore (covers Wayne County): 570-963-3156
• Troop N, Lehighton (covers Carbon County): 610-377-4270
• Blooming Grove Station (Pike County): 570-226-5718