Reward For Capturing Georgia Inmates 'Will Be Dispersed': Authorities

ATLANTA, GA -- Days after a massive manhunt ended in the arrest of two escaped Georgia inmates, many are wondering whether a reward -- which reached $130,000 -- should be doled out for their capture and who should get it. Dangerous convicts Ricky Dubose and Donnie Rowe were captured Thursday after a shootout with authorities in Tennessee.

Multiple agencies in both Tennessee and Georgia had a hand in bringing the nefarious duo to justice, but it was a couple that had been carjacked in Shelbyville that called 911, giving authorities the lead they needed to close in. It was also the alertness of another Volunteer State homeowner -- with a gun -- that made the two offenders surrender. The heroics call into question whether the reward money automatically goes to Tennessee civilians.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation recognized those who assisted in the case on Friday, saying in a statement: "Information has revealed that the bravery of Tennessee civilians contributed to the apprehension of both inmates. The reward will be dispersed at the appropriate time. As there were several aspects involved in their apprehension, law enforcement will continue to review them and determine how it will be dispersed."

The homeowner who held the felons at bay with a gun has been identified by local media as Patrick Hale of Murfreesburo. He told local media that, "If that [the surrender] doesn't make you want to believe in Jesus Christ, I don't know what will."

Hale said that he heard from neighbors that the convicts were scampering around area yards, so he grabbed his little daughter, along with all the weapons in his home.

"We made the decision either to get in a panic room inside our house and be trapped or to get in our car and head down the road," Hale newschannel5. He said when they went outside, he made eye contact with the criminals, who began waving their shirts in surrender. He said he never confronted them or drew his weapon.

Tennessee officials said they are investigating "multiple incidents" related to the duo's activities trying to evade a multi-state force. Dubose and Rowe are accused of killing two corrections officers during a prison transport in Putnam County.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation on Friday described in more detail what the pair did to evade escape for so long. "The pair forced their way into a home in Shelbyville (in neighboring Bedford County)" at 2 p.m. on Thursday, the TBI said in a news release. "Dubose and Rowe held the couple inside hostage for several hours and left the home shortly after 5:00 PM Central in the couple’s vehicle."

The couple notified law enforcement officials about the encounter shortly after it happened, authorities said.

Law enforcement got hot on the duo's trail as the pursuit snaked through Tennessee's Bedford County and into Rutherford County, and on to Interstate 24 during a 20-mile chase featuring "dangerously high speeds," the TBI said.

Georgia Prison Escapees Captured After Tennessee Gunfight

The inmates fired shots at law enforcement, striking Rutherford County cruisers. The suspects crashed their vehicle alongside I-24 but the chase began anew as the inmates fled on foot through the woods. That's when they happened upon Hale.

»Read more: 2 Georgia Inmates On The Run In 'Heinous' Killings

Dubose and Rowe are in custody in Tennessee. They appeared in court Friday morning in Rutherford County, where they waived extradition back to Georgia.

The inmates could be brought to Putnam County as soon as early next week to face murder charges.

The fatally wounded prison guards are being laid to rest in the coming days.

A funeral for Curtis Billue was scheduled for Saturday, June 17, at 11 a.m. in the Wilkinson County High School Auditorium in McIntyre.

Visitation for Christopher Monica will be Monday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Williams Funeral Home & Crematory, 1670 N. Jefferson St. in Milledgeville. The funeral will follow at 2 p.m. Tuesday at First United Methodist Church of Milledgeville at 366 Log Cabin Drive.

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Image via Tennessee Bureau of Investigation