Injured Waseca officer marks 6 months since shooting, continues long recovery
Officer Arik Matson.[BCA]
A Waseca officer who was injured in a shooting earlier this year marked 6 months since he was injured Monday.
According to a post by officer Arik Matson’s wife on his CaringBridge page, Matson has undergone two surgeries since the shooting and may have another one in a few months. In that time, he’s stayed at three different hospitals and is now at his fourth facility in a little over three months in Nebraska.
Since the shooting, Matson’s wife said he’s "slowly but surely struggled and put up a fight to regain his daily capabilities back that we all take for granted." However, his senses are at different levels and some are more intense than they used to be. While he’s able to walk short distances on his own at times, he’s often in need of an assistant’s help more than not.
The good news: "Arik’s memory is all there. His appetite is back. He is able to write letters back and forth with his daughters weekly," the post states.
"Arik wants nothing more than to be home with his family and friends," the post continues, but notes he understands it’s going to be a long road to recovery. It adds that he’s grateful for all the letters, care packages, calls, messages and encouragement he’s been receiving during his recovery.
"Healing is both a physical and emotional journey," the post finishes. "Arik has found out that his faith has been put to the test this season. He has asked God in his darkest times, ‘is this the plan you have had for me all along?’ In this time of unknowing he sits in silence and listens to Gods voice. I have faith in the unknowing and trust Gods plan."
More from KSTP:
Officer Arik Matson takes first unassisted steps, progressing in recovery
Injured Waseca police officer to continue treatment out of state; videos of encouragement requested