yourdailylocal
“I can finally go back to having an evening adult beverage and cigar without wondering if tonight’s the night I have to drop a man.” – Cody Elms
WARREN, Pa. – Warren County residents are feeling a sense of relief and expressing their thanks to law enforcement after fugitive Michael C. Burham was captured Saturday evening, ending a nearly 10-day manhunt.
Your Daily Local asked residents to share their thoughts, through social media comments and messages, after hearing the news that Burham, who escaped from the Warren County Jail on July 6, had been captured Saturday, July 15, in the area of Jackson Run and Logan Road.
“ As a father and husband I am just glad they caught him without incident or harm to the public. Now our town can rest easy and kids can enjoy their summer!” – Robert J. Gatto
“I just want to say thanks to the law enforcement and the many people in this town who had a hand in capturing him. I’m glad our community can get back to normal and enjoy the rest of our summer. Thanks again blue!” – Emily Streich
“WOULDNT IT BE WONDERFUL IF THEY HAD A HUGE RALLY AT LIKE BETTS PARK OR SOMETHING WHERE THE PUBLIC COULD GO CHEER ON AND PERSONALLY THANK THOSE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES WHO WORKED COUNTLESS HOURS TO PROTECT US ALL! These HEROES never get the credit they deserve! GOD BLESS THEM ALL!!!!!” – Jason Snell
“The Carrington’s are thankful that he is behind bars again. We understand that there was a major breakdown at the jail and somebody should be held accountable. But, we are all humans. Hopefully, this was just a mistake and nobody was working with him. Thanks Brian Hagberg and Your Daily Local for the unbiased reporting and endless hours of work. A major thanks and congratulations to all our LEO’s and their families.” – Ted Carrington
“Thank to the law enforcement local, state and federal. I was actually shocked he was still that close to the jail. After today’s press conference I thought for sure he was gone. I am also thankful for great press like Your Daily Local who didn’t chase after police and make up things. Bravo to everyone who captured this man and kept the community safe. Thank you to Mayor Wortman for being the first elected official ro speak up in a time of need. I’m just glad it’s done with. I hope we get transparency with the investigation and the county.” – Heidi Ann Palmer Villella
“I’m so relieved he has been apprehended and our community can sleep a little better tonight instead of falling asleep to the sounds of helicopters flying above that had become our normal. Beyond thankful doesn’t even begin to describe how I feel about our law enforcement that worked tirelessly for 9 days to capture him.” – Michelle Cantrell
“Grateful to all those who helped look for and find him. Thank you for putting your lives on the line to keep us safer.” – Leslie Holt Weber
“I am glad that LEO stuck with it – especially in the difficult terrain in this area – when so many people scoffed at their efforts and said that he was long gone! Thank you seems insufficient for their hard work. I was a bit disappointed to learn how many vindictive people are on social media, and some just plain mean! Thank you for keeping us updated with the facts in the midst of this circus. I may be the only one, but I can’t help feeling a little bad for Michael. He seemed to be pretty normal and intelligent until something just snapped!” – Cindy Andersen
“Thank you to all the law enforcement agencies for their non stop dedicated hard work to bring this man into custody. Thank you God no one got hurt during this time. Feeling totally relieved and happy. Can finally rest tonight.” – Jodi Papalia
“I am so thankful for everyone involved in his capture. I can finally sleep.” – Terri Neall
“So thankful for all the officers involved in this difficult manhunt.” – Kim Hulings Pollock
“Thank you to law enforcement and everyone else who was searching and working tirelessly to catch him. Very grateful for you all, and glad no one was hurt.” – Mindy Goodnight
“Thankful nobody else was hurt and relieved we dont have to be afraid any longer” – Denise Bullock
“I’m glad he was finally caught, but how much did this whole ordeal cost the taxpayer? Seemed like a lot of resources and manpower for this whole thing.” – Jerry Jeggersen
“Hi five blue” – Dano Groschy
“My property is 20 yards from the Allegheny National Forest, we’ve had our house on lock down the entire time, I have 3 kids home, my guns where locked and loaded, even ordered more security cameras for my property. My wife and I were in constant communication with our kids siblings and parents, almost annoying for them. Up at all hours of the night checking outside. Thx goodness it’s over and thank god for the blue line. It definitely was a crazy time for our community.” – Tony Richards
“He took away the peaceful and quiet nature of our community and put everybody on edge. It’s a relief. Credit to all the agencies involved.” – Rocco DelPrince
“Even though we live in the country, with him being on the run, we couldn’t keep our windows open, doors open. Something that we are so used to doing the love of being in the country, he took that away. Now that he has been captured, we can all just breathe again, open those doors and windows and feel so much safer in our community thanks to all the hard working men and women of law enforcement and there families.” – Mindy Bill Glotz
“Safer. I put locks on all my sheds just cuz of him. Brought em to my house closing.” – John Moriarty
“I started crying when I heard it. I looked at my daughter, she had tears in her eyes too. Tears of relief. I haven’t had my doors or windows open since he escaped. My air was stagnant. My life, well, I felt like a hermit. My doors are open, my air is fresher. I feel free. Law enforcement was amazing. ABSOLUTELY AMAZING” – Valerie Stillwell
“I felt as if it was handled properly, and professionally. Did it take a bit for it to happen, yes. But in the end I feel pretty well about his capture, and I’m glad that nobody is in harms way.” – Aydin Anthony
“Our law enforcement gets a bad rap most of the time, but they definitely showed what they are made of. For being such a small community, everyone came together to work hard on locating him. It’s shows the strength of this small community and how much people care. The people (including all of our LEOs) are what made this happen. Not only the tips, but all the donations to all the LEOs. I know personally how much it affected them and how much they gave to catch him. Good job to the dog and it’s owner for being calm headed when most people would have freaked out. Thankful for every man and woman who gave their time and effort to find him.” – Jami White
“We will be sleeping peacefully with our doors open to the sound of rainfall instead of helicopters tonight.” – Jami Kramer
“Prayers for all the cops,swat, marshalls and everyone else for letting us finally sleep tonight. Good job people for keeping your eye out. We should do it more often maybe we could catch others. Now his family and kids can finally rest also. Amen to everyone” – Tami Johnson
“I’m glad he has been captured! Constantly watching every turn you make is frustrating!” – Sandy Lucas
“I for one am very relieved that he was captured, my daughter on the other hand is sad because it means no more sleepovers in mommy’s bedroom. My husband works 3rd shift so I had her sleeping in with me for safety and peace of mind. When I told her he was caught and she could relax, all she did was pout.” – Holley Dawn Lowe
A number of people expressed their gratitude to the dog who alerted the couple that phoned in the tip leading to Burham’s capture.
“I think you should pamper the pooch for his excellent police work alerting his owners. Dogs a hero” – Jasmine Kays
“Someone needs to contact Targeted Pet Treats, LLC To get that doggie some treats!” – Heidi Ann Palmer Villella
“I think it should be a life time supply of steak!” – Shirley Hagberg
“I just said in an earlier comment that I hoped he had a nice steak dinner tonight. He deserves the HERO award for sure, as do his parents!! Well done, folks, well done.” – Deborah Hagberg
Some from outside Warren County shared their thoughts as well.
“Grateful for the couple who spotted him and were calm enough until they could safely call police. They deserve the reward. Grateful that no one else was hurt and our officers are all safe. Considering the mountainous area law enforcement had to cover, they did a fantastic job containing him. From WNY, Thank you PA.” – Cheryl Deering
“I don’t live by there I live in Ridgway pa but I was definitely scared for everyone’s safety it kept me up at night I watch from day one when it all started and let me tell you what a relief no one got hurt and thank you so much for everyone involved!!! They did such an amazing job!!! Even though I lived an hour away I still kept everything locked up and wouldn’t let my kids outta my sight!!! Thank you again everyone what an amazing job!!” – Jessica Wiles
“My husband and I were getting gas at Sheets before heading back to our home in Virginia in the morning. A PA State Police officer was at the pump beside us. My husband said, “ Congrats, I heard your adventure was over.” The officer thanked him and I was already reaching out to shake his hand. I told him, “Thank you and I’m glad you’re safe.” His eyes got misty and he said, “Thank you” and pulled me in for one of the best hugs I’ve ever had. He was hot and sweaty and so grateful. I wish I had gotten his name. I’ll always remember his gratitude for a simple thank you.” – Diane Finley
