N.Y. inmate's mom: A 'relief' he was captured alive

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — When the police stationed at her house for the past three weeks started leaving at about 3 p.m. ET Sunday, Pamela Sweat knew her son — Clinton Correctional Facility escapee David Sweat — had been caught.

"We knew right then and there they had gotten him somehow," she said at her Conklin home Sunday evening, fighting back tears.

Sweat, 35, was shot and captured Sunday in Constable, near the Canadian border, bringing to an end a massive manhunt after he and fellow inmate Richard Matt, 48, escaped three weeks ago.

Sweat was serving a life sentence without parole after pleading guilty to first-degree murder for killing Broome County Sheriff's Deputy Kevin Tarsia, then 36, on July 4, 2002.

Tarsia was a 13-year veteran of law enforcement.

On Sunday, Broome County Sheriff David Harder said the Tarsia family had been informed of Sweat's capture.

"It is a relief to them that it is over with, at this point," he said.

Sweat was captured two days after authorities shot and killed fellow escapee Matt. Harder described the search process as "tightening the noose," leading to the inmates' inevitable capture.

"Whatever occurred today occurred because of that movement and all the hard work the officers are doing out there," Harder said.

About 50 officers from the New York State Police, Department of Corrections, U.S. Marshals, FBI and the Broome County Sheriff's office had been working on leads in the Broome County area, Harder said. With Sweat in custody, that team's work ends.

"We are done on this end," Harder said.

Pamela Sweat said she's relieved she won't have to worry about police and guards outside her home anymore. But, she said, she still worries about her son.

"I hope he will be OK and he just stays there where he belongs," she said. "I have always told my kids you do the crime you do the time." She said David had often given her trouble while he was growing up.

Pamela Sweat said she has one daughter living next door and another nearby, as well as a grandchild in the area, who have supported her throughout the manhunt.

"At least I have have them here," she said.

Pamela said that she had always wanted to see her son while he was in prison, but could not make the drive because of injuries.

If she could speak to her son now, Pamela said she would tell him, "I love you. I always have and I always will. If I can see you, I will."

Photos: Major prison escapes