Arik Matson, the Waseca police officer who survived a gunshot wound to the head in January 2020 and continues his long recovery, was named the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association's 2020 Police Officer of the Year.
Minnesota briefs: Injured Waseca cop named officer of the year
May 22, 2021 at 6:28PM
Matson was shot on the evening of Jan. 6, 2020, responding to a prowler in a backyard. The assailant was later sentenced to 35 years in prison on two counts of attempted first-degree murder of a police officer.
The officer of the year award is given to an officer whose actions exceed expectations after having been injured, faced danger to his or her life above and beyond the call of duty, and showed courage in a dangerous situation.
The association also honored three other Waseca officers who were part of the January 2020 incident. Kris Markeson, Tim Schroeder and Andrew Harren were each awarded the Medal of Honor and the Lifesaving Award. Matson was also awarded the Medal of Honor.
"These awards call out some of the best, brightest and bravest men and women in Minnesota law enforcement, but police chiefs across our state also today want to recognize the great work that goes unnoticed from the vast majority of police officers in agencies of all sizes, urban and rural," said MCPA President Eric Werner.
Other honorees include:
• Distinguished Service Award: Matthew Rabe of Brooklyn Park, Joey Burns of Hibbing, Pat Miller and Gabe Kerkaert of Savage.
• Lifesaving Award: Corey Nellis of Avon.
• Medal of Honor: Mike Perron and Carla Magaard of Bloomington and Andrew McComb and Eli Dwyer of Brooklyn Park.
• Citizens Valor: Spencer Notch of Avon Public Works.
• Meritorious Service Award: Adam Medlicott of Burnsville.
Reid Forgrave
Hibbing
Facility to help ease child-care shortage
A new 32,000-square-foot addition to Hibbing's Washington Elementary School will house early childhood and Head Start programs, serving 120 children to combat how the child-care shortage impacts the Iron Range workforce and economy.
The addition is scheduled to be completed in March 2022.
"The opening of the new Hibbing Early Learning Center is extremely important to our area families, employers and workforce," said Mark Phillips, commissioner of the state's Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation Board.
The project, which will cost $9.4 million, is expected to create 61 construction jobs and 22 permanent jobs.
Reid Forgrave
A Ramsey County judge’s decision to delay the lottery could affect the launch of Minnesota’s retail marijuana market.
