Officer Arik Matson takes first unassisted steps, progressing in recovery
[anvplayer video=”4900401″ station=”998122″]
A Waseca police officer who was injured in a shooting in January has taken his first steps without assistance.
According to a CaringBridge post from May 7, written by Officer Arik Matson's sister-in-law, Matson has been "doing amazing." He is walking longer distances with less assistance and was even able to take his first few steps completely unassisted last week.
Matson still struggles a bit with some vision problems in his left eye but that is slowly improving, according to the post.
During his days, Matson is able to choose more of the activities he would like to partake in, including CrossFit, weight training, shooting hoops, baking cookies, and making gifts for his daughters, and he even caught some bluegills at the on-site pond recently.
In the post, Matson says how much he loved the care packages and encouragement he is getting from friends and family. One of his favorite packages this last week was a set of official team gear from the Minnesota Vikings. The post goes on to say he enjoys showing off his gear to the local Nebraskans.
Officer Arik Matson.[BCA]
Tyler Janovsky, 37, was charged with three counts of first-degree attempted murder of a peace officer in connection with the incident.
More from KSTP:
Injured Waseca police officer to continue treatment out of state; videos of encouragement requested