SUFFOLK -- Police officers found Officer James Winslow lying unconscious in the woods Saturday near Nansemond Parkway and Portsmouth Boulevard.
Police spokesperson Debbie George tells WVEC.com, Joseph Staton, 43, of Portsmouth is facing several charges in relation to the incident.
Staton is charged with malicious wounding of a police officer, aggravated malicious wounding, grand larceny of a police radio, possession of a stolen vehicle, burglary and third offense petit larceny for taking clothes from a home.
Officer Winslow was conducting a traffic stop in regards to a stolen vehicle around 8:25 a.m. Saturday. Police say Staton ran into the woods and Winslow chased after him.
At some point while in the woods, police say Staton used a blunt object to strike Winslow in the face. He suffered serious head injuries and lost consciousness, losing contact with dispatchers.
When other officers responded, they found Officer Winslow lying in the woods unconscious. He was flown via Nightingale to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital. He was taken into surgery and is in critical condition.
Chris Jones, Winslow's uncle, talked with media about this tragedy.
'He is still in the burn trauma unit but is actually responding and doing very well considering the condition that he's in,' saidJones. 'There's no doubt that God has had his hand on James from the moment he got out of that squad car to right now.'
Police say the suspect, Joe Staton, was found wearing a different shirt than the one he wore in the dashboard camera of the patrol car. They say residents in the area tipped off police.
No information on his court appearance is available at this time.
Winslow has served on the Suffolk police force for two and a half years.
The Suffolk Police Officers Association is setting up a fund for Officer Winslow at Monarch Bank.
Donations will be used to assist Officer Winslow and his family during what will be a long recuperation. Anyone who would like to help can make a monetary donation in person or mail to:
Monarch Bank
ATTN: Suffolk Police Officers' Association, in care of Officer James Winslow.
2999 Corporate Lane, Suite B8
Godwin Market Place (Godwin Blvd across from Food Lion)
Suffolk, Va. 23434
If mailing in a check, please write Officer James Winslow on the memo line of your check.
