The Waitress and the Policeman

Lawrencedale Journal

State and Local News

Local woman rescues hostages

by Anne Straits, Journal staff writer

A 22-year-old Lawrencedale woman used “special abilities” to rescue two elderly hostages without harm from four escaped convicts at Fisher’s Lake Tuesday evening.

Trish Reilly, a volunteer Lawrencedale police deputy, said she simply told the men to release the hostages, put down their weapons, and accompany her outside to where police and federal agents waited. The men did as she asked.

Reilly went in as a “non-threatening hostage negotiator,” said Lt. Tom Wilkins, Lawrencedale Police.

“Ms. Reilly can be very persuasive,” Wilkins said. “Fortunately, the suspects did as she said, and no one was hurt.”