NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–“And God, protect Trent’s father, Stan, who is a policeman,” said Frank Lewis, pastor of First Baptist Church, Nashville, Tenn., April 5 during a baby dedication.
Trent Jones, four-month-old son of Stan and Sandi Jones, was dedicated that day, but Stan Jones is especially thankful for Lewis’ prayer for him. Three days later he was shot while trying to serve a warrant.
Just four days later, he stood in church, this time thanking Lewis and the congregation for being “a wonderful family.”
Jones said he was walking without pain although he has three wounds in his leg, two made by a bullet from a .40-caliber semiautomatic Glock pistol and one from a piece of glass which remains in his leg.
He told the congregation a detective told him a study of the scene couldn’t explain the trajectories of the bullets, “but I can and I know Frank (Lewis) can.”
Jones said he will continue serving as a policeman because he feels a spiritual calling to it. His initial call caused him to change his studies in college from preparation for the ministry.
Jones, who has lived in Zambia where his parents served as Southern Baptist missionaries, had never been shot in the line of duty. He has served as a policeman for 12 years in Tennessee and Florida.
Concerning his prayer during the baby dedication, Lewis said it is unusual for him to pray for a parent except in a general way.
“The first moment that I became aware of his being shot but out of danger, my thoughts immediately went back to that prayer and I thought, ‘Thank you God for doing this,’” Lewis said.
Jones has been a witness through the ordeal with his fellow officers and through the media, which has covered the shooting extensively, Lewis noted. Another officer was shot in the chest, but was unhurt because he was wearing a bullet-proof vest.
