Man sent to prison for attacking Atlantic Beach police officer
A man who violently attacked an Atlantic Beach police officer was sentenced to 10 years in prison Thursday.
Jaden Perkins, 21, pleaded guilty to attempted second-degree murder of a law enforcement officer and resisting an officer with violence.
In July 2020, Officer Tim Stafford was called to the Panera on Atlantic Boulevard when employees reported a suspicious man outside.
That man was Perkins.
When Officer Stafford arrived, Perkins punched him, threw him to the ground and stomped on his head until he was unconscious.
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Perkins then turned his attention to a second officer who tried to stop the beating.
Perkins charged that officer and tried to take his gun.
The second officer shot Perkins to stop him.
Perkins admitted he had taken hallucinogenic drugs before the attack.
According to the state attorney’s office, Officer Stafford agrees with the sentence.
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He provided the following statement:
July 16th, 2020 is a day that I can’t remember but also a day that I will never forget. The attack left me bloody, unconscious and severely injured.
I awoke in the hospital without any knowledge or understanding as to what had occurred or why I was there.
Investigators explained to me that someone had tried to kill me, however, I was saved by Officer Joiner’s intervention.
I could not understand why anyone would try to kill me. I spent 30 years in Law Enforcement with the desire to help people, why would someone want to kill me?
I had to call my family and tell them that I had been transported to the hospital by rescue but I didn’t know why or what had happened.
I knew this call had to be terrifying to my family.
The thought that I was almost taken from my family was terrifying to me.
The looks on the faces of family, co-workers and investigators when they saw me let me know my injuries were very significant.
The lack of knowledge or any memory of the incident was even more concerning to me than the visible injuries.
I was advised that I would need facial reconstructive surgery.
I was also advised that my eye would need to be raised as it was depressed as a result of the countless blows sustained to my head and face.
I’ve had several surgeries as a result of the senseless attack.
Visually, I have been left with only minor scars.
Physically, I have been left with a traumatic brain injury, neurological injuries, a cervical spine injury, a spinal cord injury, a torn rotator cuff, left arm, wrist and hand injuries, a left eye injury to include drastically reduced vision, vestibular injuries to include reduced hearing and tinnitus, a balance disorder and vertigo, severe headaches, cognitive issues and severe pain throughout my entire body.
Collectively the senseless attack and sustained injuries have taken away my career as a law enforcement officer.
The injuries have taken away my abilities to do many things that brought me enjoyment in life.
The injuries sustained have taken away so much from me and my family.
The injuries took a police officer from the community and the department.
The injuries have had a tremendous emotional effect on me and my family.
We have all endured so much stress and uncertainty as to my recovery and future.
There has been added stress battling with the work comp insurance carrier for needed evaluations, treatments and surgeries.
The senseless attack and sustained injuries have had a profound impact on every facet of my life.
There is not a day that goes by that is not directly affected by the senseless attack on July 16, 2020.
I pray daily for everyone that this incident has affected, including you Jaden Perkins.
I pray for my family and friends as they have lost a lot of the person I used to be.
I pray for you(Jaden Perkins) and your family as I know they have lost a lot of the person that you used to be.
I pray that God uses your life and mine to have a positive impact on the lives of those around us.
I refuse to live with hate or anger on my mind or in my heart.
We live in a world where there has to be law and order to maintain peace, safety, life and liberty.
There has to be consequences to injustices to law and order.
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I’ve spent 30 years in a career seeking exactly that for our community.
I can not change the attack that occurred on July 16th, 2020 or the profound effect it has had on both of our lives.
I do however refuse to live with hate on my mind or in my heart.
One of God’s greatest gifts to us is forgiveness.
Although I will never forget the horrible attack that occurred on July 16, 2020, Jaden Perkins I do forgive you and hope God blesses you and your family.
Tim Stafford
Police Officer-City of Atlantic Beach
Retired Police Officer-Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office
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