Miracle officer pays football player a sideline visit

Josiah Hedensten got the best birthday gift he could have wished for on his 18th birthday Friday.
The Medford senior football player received a visit from a hero who has been a lifelong role model of his. Injured Waseca police officer Arik Matson made a special appearance at Hedensten’s game. And Josiah made sure he wasn’t disappointed with what he saw. Hedensten scored five touchdowns in the game against Randolph.
Matson’s comeback has been nothing short of a miracle after he was shot in the head while responding to a prowler call in Waseca in January. His prognosis initially did not look promising. But after months of hospitalization in the Twin Cities and rehabilitation in Nebraska, Matson returned back home last month. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, he hadn’t seen family members in person since February.
“It meant a lot to me to have him at my game,” said Hedensten, who reached out to Matson’s wife, Megan, to invite him to the game. “It felt good that he got there to get his mind off things he has been going through and feel normal again,” he said.
Earlier in the day, Matson spoke in a Waseca County courtroom where his attacker was sentenced to the maximum 35 years in prison. “I would still respond to that call if it was tomorrow,” Matson told the court. “I have gratitude for being here today with everyone. It’s amazing one day you have everything and the next day it is gone,” he said. “I had so much stolen from me this year, from my daughter’s eighth birthday to celebrating Father’s Day and other special events. My wife and daughts lost out on so much this year as well.”
Hedensten, who grew up being a neighbor to Matson in Freeborn, has always enjoyed hanging out with Matson. He was saddened and devastated to see what happened to Matson on Jan. 6 at the hands of a man with an extensive criminal history. Hedensten and Matson have watched football together as well as played catch in the front yard while growing up. The two have also enjoyed hunting trips together.
Despite what has happened to his role model, Hedensten isn’t discouraged about pursuing his own career in law enforcement. He says the two of them often talked about becoming a police officer while on hunting trips in the past. He plans to go to college after graduating next year. Hedensten would like to become a DNR officer some day.
While Hedensten admits it was tough not knowing how Matson would recover from this shooting, Hedensten knew he is a fighter. “I believe he is going to come out strong because of the way he is,” Hedensten said. “He is fighting every day trying to be the best he can be.
Hedensten’s father, Jason and his girlfriend Amy Schak, also joined in escorting Matson at Friday’s football game. Jason, who has been an EMT for nearly 30 years, has been pleasantly surprised at Matson’s recovery. “When someone gets shot in the head, you don’t expect good,” he said.
Jason was in the hospital by Matson along with others right after the shooting took place. “I didn’t think he would make it. It has been a hard strain. Many sleepless nights,” Jason said. “There was unbelievable support for him,” he said, adding he credits the support from family and friends with pulling Matson through this ordeal.
Jason described his son as playing for Matson in Friday’s game. Following halftime where he gave Hedensten a quick pep talk, Matson left the game because he was tired after spending all day in court.
Hedensten credits Matson’s appearance with inspiring him to play even harder in the game.
“He means a lot to me,” Hedensten says. “He’s someone I can look up to and joke around with and have a good time.”