Note: This story, originally reported in June 2017, is being republished.
During the weekend, a female CHP officer conducting a traffic stop found herself in a life-threatening situation when the suspect attacked her on a freeway shoulder in Solano County.
The incident occurred around 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, with witnesses reporting that the suspect attempted to reach for the officer’s weapon. Two bystanders, 61-year-old Joel Jones and 52-year-old Greg Bunting, came to the officer’s aid.
Jones, a retired San Francisco County sheriff’s deputy and former Drake University linebacker, recounted the event: “[The suspect] punched her, struck her repeatedly, knocked her to the ground, and began stomping on her.”
Jones and his wife Analisa had observed the suspect, 49-year-old Gary Coslovich, driving erratically on I-80 in Fairfield, causing collisions at speeds of 80 miles per hour.
Jones, also a pastor at Spirit of Truth Church Worldwide in Crockett, chose to follow Coslovich.
According to Jones, Coslovich initially pulled over but became agitated upon seeing that the CHP officer was female.
“He was like, ‘No, No, I’m not doing this!'” Jones recalled. “It was surreal, it was like I was about to witness a murder… what are you going to do about it?”
According to the Joneses, Coslovich then assaulted the officer.
“I thought he was going for her gun. He was near her waist. I told my wife to stay put and said, ‘Lord be with me,'” Jones said.
He intervened, knocking Coslovich several feet away.
Annalisa recounted praying for the officer: “I saw her crawling and then I saw her trying to get up and so I said, is this really happening?”
Bunting, a father of two and motorcycle mechanic from Vallejo, described the incident: “It’s distressing to witness a man hitting a woman. Witnessing that was – well, there are no words to describe it except it was sickening.”
Bunting, who happened upon the scene while driving by, stopped and joined in the rescue effort.
The two subdued Coslovich until backup arrived.
“I believe God places us where we need to be,” Bunting, a former youth minister, remarked.
When asked about being labeled heroes, Jones responded, “I’m no hero, I’m a servant. I’m no more a hero than anyone else.”
“We’re not superheroes. But when duty calls, let’s step up!” Bunting added.
Coslovich was charged with assault and battery against a peace officer.
The officer, whose identity remains undisclosed, received treatment at the hospital for moderate injuries.
Solano County CHP pledged to honor Jones and Bunting for their courage.
Sources: KTVU
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