The Minnesota Senate recognized Waseca Officer Arik Matson, a name familiar to many Southern Minnesota citizens, yesterday before passing the 'Arik Matson Bill' as part of the Senate's Public Safety Bill.

Matson was shot in the head in January of 2020 while responding to a call for service. The man who shot Matson, Tyler Janovsky, was sentenced to 35 years (420 months) in jail for shooting Matson, according to KSTP.com.

The Arik Matson bill strengthens penalties for individuals convicted of assaults that cause great harm to a police officer, judge, prosecutor, or correctional officer.

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This bill increased the length of a maximum sentence for great bodily harm from 20 to 25 years. When a dangerous weapon is used in the attack, the bill increased the maximum sentence to 30 years; instead of 20 years. 

Either way, a perpetrator will serve a longer minimum sentence in prison for harming an officer. The bill is effective August 1, 2021, and applies to crimes committed on or after that date.

Many had very kind words to say about Matson and his wife, Megan during the floor session. 

On a Facebook page, called 'Matson Strong,' Megan Matson wrote:

"On behalf of Arik and I, we would like to give a huge THANK YOU to Rachel Cornelius Wascea County Attorney, Brian Peters with MPPOA, Senator Jasinski, Senator Gazelka, Representative Petersburg, John Hultquist for never backing down, for never giving up and for being Matson Strong through out these past months pushing and fighting for this Bill to pass. We couldn't have done it without this great team of leadership, of knowledge, and respect for Law Enforcement in the state of Minnesota."

How's that for some Wednesday good news?

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