Family speaks on Suffolk officer attack

SUFFOLK, VA. (WAVY) - The Suffolk police officer brutally attacked in a wooded area Saturday remains in the hospital and now his family is speaking out.

Officer James Winslow has been improving in a number of ways since he was found unconscious in a wooded area not far from where the trouble began. Although Winslow remains hospitalized, family members are hopeful.

“It has bee a tough, I guess, 50 some hours for the family, but it has been nothing short of a miracle the last 48,” Delegate Chris Jones, Winslow’s uncle told WAVY.com. Jones said Winslow is improving almost by the hour.

“From being able to recognize that we’re in the room, to responding and to actually communicate with his wife and having conversations,” Jones added.

The brutal assault on Officer Winslow has affected Delegate Jones as both an uncle and a legislator.

WAVY.com asked if Jones felt legislation was needed for mandatory time for evading arrest and assaulting an officer.

“Well, I’ll just say that this has given me a much different perspective on that whole process,” Jones said. “There was an outstanding warrant for this individual and James did not deserve this. No one deserves this and I can tell you it’s going to cause me to reflect a lot and just look at what we have as far as available to us to deal with individuals like this.

The man accused of attacking Winslow, Joe Staton, remains in jail without bond.