Father of suspected cop killer speaks out

AN INTERVIEW WITH JONES’ FATHER: James Jones, the father of Joshua Jones – the suspect in the shooting death of Aiken Public Safety MCpl. Sandy Rogers, gives a poignant interview to news media following a press conference at the Public Safety office Saturday night. Staff photo by Rob Novit.

The father of suspected cop killer, 26-year-old Joshua Jones, said Saturday that his heart goes out to the family of slain Aiken Public Safety Master Cpl. Sandy Rogers.

While his son sat at the Aiken County detention center awaiting murder and weapons charges, James Jones attended an evening press conference in downtown Aiken held by Aiken Public Safety.

Director Charles Barranco addressed the media and the community about Rogers' death and the chain of events that led to the shooting and the eventual arrest of the 26-year-old Jones.

Following the press conference, the father addressed the media.

James Jones said he had called police Friday evening to report that his son had stolen the car and hadn't returned with it.

On Saturday morning, the elder Jones said he learned that his son was driving his blue car, and it had been connected to the shooting in Aiken.

He said he saw the news on the Internet.

"... It was my car involved," he said, coming to the understanding that his son was accused of the shooting and was on the run.

"My heart really goes out to this family - to all the victim's family," James Jones said.

He added that he will visit his son in jail and said his son is mentally unstable and only recently was released from a mental health institution.

He said he is also grieving for the loss of Cayce Vice, Joshua James' 21-year-old pregnant girlfriend.

Richmond County authorities said Jones is a suspect in the shooting death of Vice.

She was found dead in her apartment Saturday morning around 10:30 a.m., but it was not clear how long she had been dead.

James Jones said he never thought his family would deal with this, while adding that his son has served jail time in the Atlanta area.

He also was previously arrested in Aiken in July 2011 and charged with giving false information to a police officer, carrying a concealed weapon and violation of the seatbelt law. Also, in 2009, he pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a pistol. He was sentenced in general sessions court in Aiken County to 108 days time served.

"I don't know really what else to say," James Jones said. "... Pray and cry about the rest; that is all a man can do," James said.

In addition to his father and a brother living in Aiken, the 26-year-old has a 4-year-old daughter who lives in Washington D.C.

Click here to see the Aiken Standard's page dedicated to Master Cpl. Sandy Rogers.