Wounded Waseca Police Officer receives award Legionnaires convention at Jackpot Junction Friday
Legionnaires, Sons of the American Legion, and Legion Auxiliary members from throughout the state of Minnesota gathered this week at Jackpot Junction Casino and Hotel as American Legion Post 38 in Redwood Falls hosts the annual state convention. As part of that, on Friday the Sons of the American Legion presented former Waseca Police Officer Arik Matson with its law enforcement of the year award.
Matson was critically wounded the night of January 6, 2020, while responding to a report of a suspicious person. A suspect shot Matson in the head, and later was sentenced to the maximum 35-year sentence after pleading guilty to two counts of attempted first-degree murder of a police officer.
As it happens, Matson is a member of the Sons of the American Legion. He told KLGR on Friday morning:
Matson, who rose from his wheelchair to receive the award, received a standing ovation from the assembled servicemen in return.