Maine State Police
The Maine State Police (MSP) is the primary law enforcement agency that responds to the Placerville High School hostage crisis, commanded by Captain Frank Philbrick. Their actions—from establishing a perimeter and deploying a sniper to negotiating with Charlie Decker and ultimately storming the classroom—define the external pressure on the hostage-taker and shape the crisis's outcome. The MSP's tactical decisions, including an attempted shooting that fails only because a padlock stops the bullet, and Philbrick's final, fatal shots, mark the organization as the decisive force that ends the standoff.
Response and Perimeter
Shortly after Charlie Decker shoots Mrs. Underwood and Mr. Vance and takes twenty-four classmates hostage in Room 16, a blue state-police cruiser arrives at the school, parking across the road. Captain Frank Philbrick, head of the Maine State Police, is identified as the commanding officer on the scene. He is described as a huge, blocky man who listens to Principal Denver and the school psychiatrist, Don Grace, but shakes his head at their input. Philbrick establishes a perimeter, directing traffic onto the Oak Hill Pond road and setting up roadblocks. More state-police cars arrive, and Philbrick is seen conferring with Denver and Grace on the lawn. The MSP coordinates with local police from Placerville, Lewiston, Brunswick, and Auburn, creating a visible law-enforcement presence that includes cruisers, riot guns, and a DETOUR sign.
Negotiation and Tactical Decisions
Philbrick takes personal charge of negotiations, using the school intercom to speak with Decker. He demands that Decker come out with his hands up and threatens to use tear gas. Decker counters by threatening to kill a hostage if gas is used. Philbrick asks Decker for his "price" for releasing the hostages, offering air time or a statement to the papers. Decker mockingly proposes that Philbrick come in unarmed and let the hostages go, after which Decker would blow his head off. Philbrick refuses, but agrees to come down to the classroom to "figure something out." He also asks to speak directly with Ted Jones, whom Decker allows on the intercom. Jones tells Philbrick that Decker is "apt to do anything." Philbrick then signs off, telling Decker, "Be seeing you." Decker warns him to appear outside within fifteen seconds, and Philbrick complies, striding out the front door exactly twelve seconds later.
The Sniper Shot and Its Failure
Despite the negotiation, Philbrick authorizes a tactical solution. The MSP deploys its best sharpshooter, Daniel Malvern, a small man with a crew cut who looks like an accountant. Malvern is given a large Mauser rifle with a telescopic sight. He test-fires it at a gravel pit several miles away, then returns and takes a prone position behind the front fender of a cruiser parked on the lawn, in deep shadow. He gauges the windage as nil. Through the 30X cross-hatched lens, Decker appears as large as a bulldozer. Malvern waits for his shot. When Decker half-rises and half-leans over the desk, his body half-twisting toward Ted Jones, Malvern fires. The bullet strikes Decker's breast pocket, directly over his heart. But the slug hits the hard steel of the padlock Titus, which Decker had placed in his pocket. The bullet is stopped, and Decker survives. The failed shot nearly triggers a bloodbath; Decker fires back at the windows, and the police retreat.
Final Confrontation and Resolution
After the failed sniper shot, Philbrick negotiates a one-hour truce. At noon, Decker announces that all hostages will be released at one o'clock. Philbrick agrees, warning Decker not to hurt any of the kids. When the shades are pulled down in Room 16, Philbrick cannot see what is happening inside. At one o'clock, the hostages file out, their hands streaked with black ink. Philbrick then announces over the intercom that he will shoot in gas canisters in one minute. Decker reveals that Ted Jones is still inside, hurt. Philbrick, suspicious, demands to know who is hurt. Decker insists Jones is there. Philbrick then steps through the door of Room 16. He sees the drooling, catatonic Ted Jones and asks Decker what he did. Decker makes a feint as if grabbing something behind the desk, screaming, "Here it comes, you shit cop!" Philbrick shoots him three times. This final act ends the hostage crisis, with Decker wounded and taken into custody.
Aftermath and Legal Role
The Maine State Police's actions lead directly to Decker's capture and subsequent trial. Decker is convicted of the willful murder of Jean Underwood and John Downes Vance. However, five state psychiatrists determine that he cannot be held accountable for his actions by reason of insanity. The court remands him to the Augusta State Hospital for treatment until he can be certified responsible. The MSP's role in the crisis is thus both tactical—ending the standoff through force—and procedural, as their capture of Decker enables the legal process that follows.
