New York’s newest detective acted just as calmly in front of reporters and TV cameras yesterday as she did when she foiled a hair-salon heist by shooting the gun right out of the bumbling bandit’s hand.
Hero Detective Feris Jones — bombarded with media questions after being lauded at a City Hall ceremony by Mayor Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Ray Kelly — proved she’s as much a straight talker as straight shooter by asking reporters to dispense with formalities.
“Can you just call me Jonesy? It’s OK,” she said. That’s the nickname by which neighbors and colleagues affectionately call the humble cop, whose bad hair day Saturday changed her career forever. Jones, a 20-year veteran who works as an NYPD crime-evidence specialist, was getting her hair styled in a Brooklyn salon when teen suspect Winston Cox allegedly pushed his way in, pulled a gun and announced a stickup.
Jones foiled his attempt by shooting the gun out of his hand after he allegedly had fired four errant shots.
How did Jones stay so calm under fire?
“That’s my personality,” she said. “I don’t fuss about much.”
Hours before the ceremony, Cox was arraigned on charges of attempted murder and robbery. His hand was still bandaged from Jones’ bullet.
sgoldenberg@nypost.com