Posted on 03/24/2005 8:10:52 PM PST by BigSkyFreeper
One by one, various federal and state agencies handed former hostage Ashley Smith reward checks for her heroism and bravery that ended the hunt for a fugitive wanted in four separate murders.
During a ceremony inside the state Capitol Thursday, law enforcement officials along with Gov. Sonny Perdue praised Smith, 26, for her actions after being taken hostage by courthouse shooting suspect Brian Nichols on March 12.
"We never counted on Ashley Smith. We never took that into consideration but, Ashley, with your calm demeanor and handling of the situation, with your cool headed reasoning, you were able to overcome a very serious situation," U.S. Marshal Richard Mecum said while handing Smith a $25,000 check.
Within moments, Smith received $70,000 in reward money as a credit to the way she handled Nichols and eventually convinced him to allow her to leave her apartment in Gwinnett County.
Nichols had confronted Smith as she entered her apartment at 2 a.m. and held her hostage for seven hours. During that time, Smith said she spoke of her 5-year-old daughter and her need to stay alive because her husband had been killed. Eventually, Smith read to Nichols from an inspirational book concerning a person's need to find their purpose in life.
"Trapped in her home with a dangerous killer, Ashley won his trust through her humanity and her compassion. She talked about her late husband and a love for her daughter and she talked about her faith," said Gov. Sonny Perdue.
Perdue said Smith "pierced his hardened heart" and "let him see it was time to put down his weapon, time to let her go, time to surrender to justice."
When Nichols allowed Smith to leave her home, she alerted authorities to his whereabouts and he surrendered peacefully. Smith spoke briefly during the ceremony.
"Throughout this journey, I have felt your prayers and your prayers have sustained and strengthened me. "Yes, my life has changed but that is a small fraction compared to all the families who lost loved ones during this tragic event earlier in the month. My heart goes out to all the families of those that are still mourning," she said.
"My life is testimony that God can use us even in the midst of tragedy and miracles do happen."
Smith has been staying with relatives in Augusta since the ordeal. In all, she received $25,000 from the U.S. Marshals Office, $20,000 from the FBI, $10,000 from Perdue's office, $5,000 from the Georgia Sheriffs' Association, $5,000 from the Georgia Fraternal Order of Police and $5,000 from the city of Atlanta. She previously received $2,500 from the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police.
I was referring to the first stories that surfaced about Jessica Lynch 'emptying her magazine fighting to the end'. I was thrilled, but it turned out to be untrue. The reality is Jessica was riding in the Humvee that was driven by the other female, an American Indian woman, Lorie (whose last name escapes me right now). The Humvee crashed into the back of a semi-trailer, killing the driver and 1stSgt riding in front. Lynch was knocked out cold and never even fired a shot.
I did meet Jessica Lynch when she came to Jacksonville, FL last year. I thanked her for her brave and courageous service to our country.
So don't go off the deep end on me, OK?
I t'was out sitting in my dandelion patch when I got this ping....
Thanks, I love a beautiful story.
Good stuff ~ she deserves everything she gets!
Great Chick ~ Bump!
The sherriff doesn't want the attention on his dept for sure. As a matter of fact, the whole law enforcement team sure looked like the Keystone Cops on that one.
Oh OH....some serious stuff should come out of that!!!
Former POW Jessica Lynch, right, is blessed by Navajo Indian, Eric Manuelito, during a memorial ceremony for Army Spc. Lori Piestewa, Tuesday, March 22, in Phoenix. Looking on at left, are Piestewa's mother, Percy, and Lori's daughter Carla.Two years after their company was ambushed, Lynch was in Arizona on Tuesday to honor her fallen comrade, Spc. Piestewa, the first American servicewoman killed in the war with Iraq. (AP Photo/Roy Dabner)
Former POW Jessica Lynch holds Carla Piestewa, 5, daughter of Lynch's fallen friend Lori Piestewa, during a ceremony Tuesday, March 22, 2005, in Phoenix. Two years after their company was ambushed,Lynch was in Arizona on Tuesday to honor her fallen comrade, Army Spc. Lori Piestewa, the first American servicewoman killed in the war with Iraq. (AP Photo/Roy Dabner)
It already is...
Something been posted on that?
Not yet - there's only been rumblings in the local media here; but there will be some major fallout soon enough on this one...
Thank you for sharing Jessica's photos with us.
How nice that they came through side by side.
I feel like weeping that she is still using a cane, but even that is progress from a year ago.
Hey lighten up Squat. Don't take eveything so damn series.
You are never a hothead nw_az!
No sweat, but watch out... if some FReepers get wind of you being civil towards me they flame you! LOL! Have a nice weekend.
Boortz was right when he said," The Chief of those keystone cops should apologize and reseign TODAY"
Bump!
Hey FRiend Chieftain! I haven't posted on any of these threads until today. But I sure read alot of them. You sure took a beating for earlier questioning. (I'm glad she got the reward money.)
But, I think you made a few points to ponder! Who knows what will ever be brought to light about the whole situation. I see at least a book and movie.
Thanks for the ping!
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