Wounded former Waseca Police Officer Arik Matson received the Minnesota Sons of the American Legion’s Officer of the Year award at the Legion’s convention at Jackpot Junction on Friday morning.
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 hosted the annual state convention. 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. Matson is a member of the Sons of the American Legion. Matson, who rose from his wheelchair to receive the award, received a standing ovation from the assembled servicemen in return.
