By Suzie Ziegler
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — On July 16, 2020, Officer Tim Stafford was beaten unconscious by Jaden Perkins, a man later found to have taken hallucinogens. Stafford underwent facial reconstructive surgery and still suffers from headaches and cognitive issues that forced his early retirement from policing, according to News 4.
But Stafford doesn’t harbor any ill will toward Perkins.
At Perkins’ sentencing on Thursday, Stafford forgave the man who attacked him two years earlier.
“I’ve looked evil in the eyes, and I didn’t see that in him,” Stafford said at the hearing. “I believe there should be consequences, but him spending the rest of his life behind bars, I didn’t think that needed to happen in this. I want him to be a productive member of society.”
Perkins was facing up to life in prison for attempted murder of a police officer, but Stafford supported a plea agreement, the Florida Times-Union reported. Instead, Perkins was sentenced to 10 years after pleading guilty to attempted second-degree murder.
Perkins apologized to Stafford and thanked the officer for his forgiveness.
“I just want to thank you for giving me a chance to prove myself and to become a better man,” Perkins said, according to News 4. “I’m not proud of having this type of impact on so many people, and Mr. Stafford, I thank you. I remember our conversation. I will always remember our conversation. I want you to know our words mean something, and I will work from this day to become a better man.”
https://twitter.com/RetiredNYCPD/status/1545364460470157313
Stafford and Perkins shared a tearful hug after the hearing
“There is power in forgiveness,” said Judge London Kite, News 4 reported.
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