Cop, Dispatcher Help Reunite Elderly Tampa Woman With Brother

By KRISTAL DIXON (Patch Staff)

ROSWELL, GA -- The teamwork of an officer with the Roswell Police Department and a 911 dispatcher helped prevent a situation that could have ended tragically for an elderly woman from Florida.

On Tuesday, March 22, a call came into the Roswell 911 center reporting a woman who said she was lost and in need of assistance.

Officer Bill Lowe was dispatched to help the woman, an 88-year-old resident from Tampa who got lost while driving through Roswell from the Sunshine State.

Roswell Mayor Jere Wood, who shared the story on his Facebook page, said the woman was traveling to North Carolina to live with her 94-year-old brother.

Wood said the woman stopped at a convenience store on Holcomb Bridge Road at S.R. 400 to ask a stranger for directions.

"This kind stranger knew she was in trouble, so he called 911 to report her needing help," Wood said.

Lowe responded and "quickly realized" that allowing the woman to leave the convenience store was not a safe option.

"She was too confused regarding how to drive so far away on interstate roads," Wood added.

Lowe transported the woman to North Fulton Hospital to give her a safe place stay in the interim, and left his personal cell phone number with the nurse. Around 5 p.m., Lowe was informed the woman was being discharged and "taken to a nearby hotel so her brother could pick her up the next day," Wood said.

"Bill had previously spoken to the brother, and knew that was just going to put another very elderly driver on interstate roads to drive more than 350 miles round-trip," the mayor said.

In an effort to avoid that situation, Lowe, along with Roswell dispatcher Cristy Way, decided they would escort the woman to North Carolina themselves.

When both public safety employees completed their 12-hour shifts at 6 p.m., Way drove the woman's car, following Lowe in his personal vehicle.

Both Way and Lowe then made the three-hour drive back to Roswell.

"This elderly woman was relieved beyond words that she was safe with her big brother," Wood said. "And we are all very grateful for the kindness of strangers and our officer Lowe and 911 dispatch operator Cristy Way."

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Photo: Officer Bill Lowe. Credit: Mayor Jere Wood