The vote was unanimous as a bill increasing penalties for attempted first-degree murder of an officer, judge, prosecutor or corrections officer cleared a key Minnesota Senate committee today, after lawmakers heard from Waseca Police Officer Arik Matson. “Every day since the incident I find out new stuff that I can’t do anymore, such as walking on my own or walking really any distance,” Matson told the panel via a Zoom link. He was shot in the head by a suspect over a year ago.
Committee Chair Warren Limmer said to Matson and his wife, Megan, “Many of us will be praying for your continued recovery, and we thank you again for your service.”
The bill also increases penalties for those inflicting great bodily harm on an officer, judge, prosecutor or corrections officer.