An officer in Florida who was attacked in broad daylight on Thursday while on duty needs facial reconstruction surgery after he was beaten until the point of losing consciousness, authorities said.
"Our injured officer is now home and recovering, he will undergo facial reconstructive surgery next week," the Atlantic Beach Police Department wrote in a statement. "Prayers are much appreciated!"
Once the officer responding to the complaint arrived at the restaurant parking lot, Perkins instead attacked him, knocking the veteran officer down on the ground and reportedly kicking him in the head and stomping on his head.
"The man continued to punch the officer in the head while he laid on the ground, witnessed told officers. A back-up officer arrived and saw the man stomping on the officer’s head repeatedly," according to the release.
Perkins was arrested by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office on the same day of the alleged assault and has been charged with attempted murder second-degree.
The officer who backed-up reportedly gave verbal commands to Perkins, urging him to stop the attack. He then reportedly stopped the assault and sat on the ground for a short period before getting up again, telling the officer he will have to kill him, police said.
"The back-up officer retreated to create distance and continued to give verbal commands," police said in the release. After Perkins allegedly made an attempt to reach for the officer his gun, that’s when the back-up officer neutralized him after shooting him once.
The officer, who was beaten unconscious, as well as Perkins, were both taken to the hospital and are expected to recover.