That’s when a Pennsylvania officer is confronted by police officers lining up to pose with escaped prisoner Danelo Cavalcante – and deflects criticism while praising them for “protecting the community.”

A top Pennsylvania cop defended the state’s officers after they were seen parading escaped convict Danelo Cavalcante as a trophy after he was arrested Wednesday following a two-week manhunt.

Dozens of SWAT members proudly posed with the bloodied 34-year-old killer who escaped from prison two weeks ago – days after he was sentenced to life in prison for the brutal 2021 murder of his ex-girlfriend.

“You know, I’m aware that there was a photo op out there,” Lt. Col. George Bivens responded after a reporter approached him about the photo op and asked if it was standard procedure.

“These men and women worked amazingly hard under very difficult circumstances. They are proud of their work.

“It doesn’t bother me at all that they took a photo while he was in custody. Here too, they are proud of their work, they have ensured the safety of the community. I tell them thank you and good job.”

Police pose with murderer Danelo Cavalcante after his capture on Wednesday

Lt. Col. George Bivens defended the photo op on Wednesday

Escaped prisoner Danelo Cavalcante was captured, police said Wednesday morning

About 25 officers were able to surprise the convict when they surrounded him on Wednesday morning. Officers then released a police dog to catch the killer, who was bitten on the scalp and treated for his injury at the scene, police said.

Bivens stood by officers as questions arose about why it took so long to find Cavalcante, who was described as armed and dangerous.

Police initially focused on the area near the prison but expanded the search over the weekend after Cavalcante was seen outside the designated area, prompting questions about how he slipped past the more than 500 officers working in the area patrolled the area.

Authorities declined to say how they believe Cavalcante was able to escape the initial search area, and officials declined questions about whether they missed a chance to catch him at that point.

Bivens added: “There will always be people who believe they can do this job better, and they are entitled to that opinion.” I want to tell you again that I have my confidence in this group of experts and this group experienced law enforcement professionals, the dedicated men and women, not only of the Pennsylvania State Police, but of all the other partner agencies that went out there every day.

“I will put my money into them any day of the week and I believe the community has supported them and will continue to do so.”

The killer’s capture, which took about five minutes, brings relief to worried residents of southeastern Pennsylvania who spent sleepless nights as he hid in the woods, broke into suburban homes for food, changed his appearance and was shot at one from a stolen gun fled garage.

Authorities used thermal images from an aircraft to determine a possible location and then used ground troops to capture Cavalcante

About 25 officers managed to surprise him as they surrounded him Wednesday morning, but Cavalcante, wearing a Philadelphia Eagles sweatshirt, tried to escape again using the rifle he had stolen from a home he broke into on Monday was, crawling through the undergrowth.

Officers then released a police dog to catch the killer, who was bitten on the scalp and treated for his injury at the scene, police said. After capturing a bloodied Cavalcante, the search party’s SWAT officers paraded him like a trophy and posed for a photo with him around 8 a.m. EST.

The Brazilian, who is in the U.S. illegally, was arrested in a wooded area near South Coventry Township, within the updated perimeter that police established this week. He was reportedly hiding with the rifle when he was found under a pile of logs.

People had the “intent and intent to support Cavalcante during his time on the run,” Bivens said Wednesday, but authorities thwarted those attempts. He did not elaborate or say that anyone had been criminally charged.

Cavalcante received a life sentence in August for killing his ex-girlfriend Deborah Brandao in front of her children in 2021. Prosecutors say he wanted to stop them from telling police that he was wanted in Brazil for the murder. He was arrested in Virginia after Brandao’s killing, and authorities believe he was trying to return to Brazil.

About 25 officers managed to surprise him as they surrounded him, but Cavalcante tried to escape again by crawling through tall grass with the rifle

The prison tower guard who was on duty when Cavalcante escaped has been fired. The escape went undetected for more than an hour until guards conducted a head count.

The killer’s capture, which took about five minutes, brings relief to worried residents of southeastern Pennsylvania who spent sleepless nights as he hid in the woods, broke into suburban homes for food, changed his appearance and was shot at one from a stolen gun fled garage.

Authorities used thermal images from an aircraft to pinpoint a possible location and then used ground troops to capture Cavalcante, state police Lt. Col. George Bivens said Wednesday.

A plane detected a hearing source on Tuesday evening, but officials had to postpone the operation after a storm moved in and a ground team remained in the area overnight.

After being captured, he was taken in an armored vehicle to a nearby state police barracks, surrounded by a convoy of dozens of vehicles that drove along the highway with lights flashing and sirens blaring. Two police helicopters followed above.

According to Judge Matthew Seavey’s office, Cavalcante was charged with escape at the Avondale Barracks. A preliminary hearing was scheduled for Sept. 27. He was scheduled to be sent to a state prison to continue serving the life sentence he received last month for killing his ex-girlfriend.