Ashley Smith Receives Rewards for Assisting in the Apprehension of Brian Nichols

ATLANTA – Today Governor Sonny Perdue and representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Marshals Service, City of Atlanta, Georgia Sheriffs’ Association, Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police and the Georgia Fraternal Order of Police presented Ashley Smith with rewards for assisting in the apprehension of Brian Nichols.

“We’re here today to recognize the heroism of a young woman who faced a dangerous situation with calmness, courage, decency and faith,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “In doing so, Ashley Smith helped apprehend a dangerous felon and ended a tragic situation without further loss of life.”
Smith received a total of $70,000 in reward money during today’s event. The breakdown is as follows:

• $10,000 from the state of Georgia presented by Governor Sonny Perdue;
• $20,000 from the FBI presented by Special Agent in Charge Greg Jones;
• $25,000 from the U.S. Marshals Service presented by U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of Georgia Richard Mecum;
• $5,000 from the City of Atlanta presented by Peter Andresen, Deputy Chief of the Atlanta Police Department;
• $5,000 from the Georgia Sheriffs’ Association presented by Sheriff Thomas Smith, president of the association; and
• $5,000 from the Georgia Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) presented by Carlton Stallings, president of the FOP.

Frank Rotondo, executive director of the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police, also joined the press conference. His organization previously presented Smith with a reward of $2,500.