Waseca police officer who was shot in the head walks on his own

The Waseca, Minn., police officer shot in the head while pursuing a suspect in January has taken his first steps without help.

Arik Matson, 32, took about 10 steps on his own recently, and last week started working on going up and down stairs, according to his sister-in-law Nicole Matson, who recently posted an update on his CaringBridge site.

"He's walking longer distances with less assistance — still using various types of walkers — but his therapists are incredibly proud of the progress he's making," she wrote.

Matson has been recovering at a Nebraska rehabilitation facility. He still suffers from some double vision in his left eye, but that is slowly improving, too, the post said.

In addition to daily therapy, Matson has been participating in a variety of activities, including CrossFit, weight training, basketball, baking cookies, and making gifts for his daughters, Audrina, 7, and Maklynn, 5. He also was able to do some fishing on the rehabilitation center's on-site pond and caught some bluegills last week, the posting said.

The man accused of shooting Matson, Tyler R. Janovsky, 37, of Waseca, was charged with three counts of first-degree attempted murder in connection with the incident on Jan. 6.

During a foot chase, Janovsky allegedly shot Matson in the head and fired at two other officers. Janovsky remains jailed in lieu of $3 million bail and has another court date set for May 20.

Tim Harlow • 612-673-7768