How to Look Like a Stupid, Dishonest Weasel: Sheriff Renigs on Reward

On June 13, 2017, two Georgia convicts escaped from a prison bus, killing two correction officers in the process.  The two were described as extremely dangerous, and the public was warned and alerted.  A reward was raised and offered “for information leading to the arrest” of the two escapees.  The reward started at $60,000 and was ultimately increased to $130,000. From wrdw.com:

MORGAN COUNTY, Ga. (AP) — Authorities say the reward has increased to $130,000 for information leading to the arrest of two escaped Georgia inmates wanted for killing two corrections officers.

Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills said law enforcement agencies in Georgia and beyond are conducting “the greatest effort I have ever seen” to hunt the fugitives — 43-year-old Donnie Russell Rowe and 24-year-old Ricky Dubose.

On June 15, 2017, after over two days of a carjack, home invasion, high speed chase and flight on foot, the two escapees were captured by armed homeowner Patrick Hale . The homeowner noticed the escapees entering his property as they crossed a barbed wire fence 300 yards away. After praying, he started to leave the property with his three year old daughter, but the felons signaled him and surrendered, lying face down on the concrete. Hale never had to point his gun at the felons.

The armed citizen contacted the Sheriff’s office. When the deputies arrived the escapees were face-down on the concrete, hands behind their back. From bluelivesmatter.blue:

Rutherford County Sheriff Mike Fitzhugh said “I can’t say enough about the bravery of the homeowner, and what they took on, the wherewithal to call us and give us the information so we could get over there and apprehend these two subjects.”

Initial reports were that Hale and a neighbor had captured the felons at gun point when they attempted to steal his car. That was not correct. Based on that information, Sheriff Howard Sills of Putnam County, Georgia made comments that were poorly considered.  From  the video at wsmv.com:

Chris Miller, Channel 4 News Team:

A 90,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the arrest of these men. This morning we are learning that no one will receive that reward.

Here is the sheriff from Bedford County, Georgia

Sheriff Howard R. Sills, Putnam County, Georgia:

It looks like we going to get saved that money. Because the apprehension was the result of officers seeing them after a crime. So I don’t think that, ..

Again I appreciate everyone who put that money up. We are very grateful.

Chris Miller, Channel 4 News Team:

At least one brave Tennessean is not happy with that development.

A half hour before this statement by Sheriff Sills, a retired law enforcement officer told me that he hoped that the reward was actually paid. He said, in his experience, most rewards were not paid. So many caveats were included, that some excuse was almost always found to avoid payment.

In this case, Sheriff Sills made a highly visible error. He appears as a stupid, dishonest weasel.  He seems very happy that brave citizens, who risked a considerable will be denied the reward. Perhaps he will issue a retraction.

The authorities should work hard to distribute reward money honestly and fairly. When rewards are withheld, they become ineffective. The public becomes jaded.

This should be a win, win, for everyone. Hold a big award ceremony. Praise the four citizens involved. Hand out large checks. Give them medals for bravery.

It the people who proffered the reward weasel out, publicize that information and the excuse they give for withdrawing their support. Start a public fundraising effort, with Sheriff and Governor each contributing a thousand to start it off. It would be the best campaign money each has ever spent.

Wiser heads than Sheriff Sills may prevail. A Tennessee Bureau of Investigation officer was more optimistic about the reward: From CNN:

With the men now in custody, authorities will soon sort out their extradition to Georgia and also the future of a reward that rose from $60,000 to $130,000 as the days passed.

“Maybe a lot of people are getting a reward out of this,” Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Director Mark Gwyn told reporters.

When the officers of the state ask for the public’s help in capturing criminals, and offer a reward, that offer should be in good faith. Most people would think that calling 911 and delivering the suspects face down on concrete with their hands behind their back would constitute “information leading to the arrest”.

The homeowners who were assaulted in a home invasion, had their jeep stolen, and then informed the authorities, should also get a cut of the reward.  If they had not called, it is likely the inmates would still be on the run.

This should be a reinforcement of the power of police and citizen cooperation, not a way to discredit future reward efforts.

©2017 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.

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