Waseca Police Department Creates Legacy Award for Officer Arik Matson

Officer Arik Matson served with the Waseca Police Department from 2014 to 2020.   On January 6^th, 2020, Arik was shot in the head while investigating a suspicious person call.  Arik was hospitalized for four months before moving to a six-month rehabilitation program out of state.  He returned home on October 19^th, 2020.   He officially retired on October 15, 2021 when he was given the Department’s Medal of Honor and Law Enforcement Purple Heart award.   His badge number, 222, was retired and given to him.  Arik sustained a life-long traumatic brain injury and is permanently disabled.   He remains on our roster as a department member and often visits and participates in public events.

The Officer Arik Matson Legacy Service Award stands to honor Arik’s sacrifice and provide an example for current officers and department staff to strive toward.  Recipients of the annual award must be peer-nominated, and the final selection is chosen by Arik from the written nomination submissions.   The award focuses on recognizing the staff members’ accomplishments and positive character modeled after Arik’s own success as an Officer.

The character attributes desired in the recipient of the Officer Arik Matson Legacy Service Award are:

Cooperative Spirit

Arik exemplified a cooperative spirit in all tasks; he was the first to lend a hand to his partners and community members.  He interacted with all people in a calm, polite and helpful manner.  He picked up overtime or switched shifts willingly.  Arik was always willing to take a ride-along or set up demonstrations for others.   Arik consistently remained positive, patient and approachable.

Community Engagement

Arik took on many community engagement tasks as an Officer.  He organized and ran Night to Unite and taught DARE classes and planned and carried out their class graduation. He served as a certified crime prevention officer; even sitting on the state crime prevention board.  He often spoke at businesses and organizations about safety, crime prevention, or gave tours to local school and scout groups.  He often quietly bought meals or necessities out of his own pocket for people who were facing hard times.

Willingness to Improve Oneself

Arik valued opportunities to learn and do more than was required.   He actively sought feedback about his work product.  He was not above change and kept an open mind to learn.  Arik often attended training, interviewed for promotions and assignments, and volunteered for tasks so he could be involved and learn from them.  Arik proudly served on the regional SWAT team and remained proficient in use-of-force and firearms practices, with a focus on Officer safety.   Arik was a fanatic for physical fitness to stay healthy.

The Arik Matson Legacy Service Award will be awarded to one WPD staff member annually, if nominations are received. Nomination letters must be written by Waseca Police Department staff to nominate their peer(s) and addressed to the Chief of Police.  They shall be submitted between January 1 and February 15 of each year.