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(AP) - Less than a week ago, Chris Dewey was in a
medically induced coma here with gunshot wounds to the abdomen and
head, but on Monday his surgeon said he was expecting to release
the sheriff's deputy from the hospital in a few days.


      Dewey is making remarkable progress, said Dr. Robert Sticca, one
of Dewey's surgeon's at MeritCare Hospital, during a press
conference. "He's now awake, talking, corresponding with his
family," Sticca said.


      Dewey's condition has been upgraded from guarded to
satisfactory.


      "We're all very optimistic about his condition. He's out of
danger at the present time," Sticca said. "But he still has a
long road ahead."


      Dewey, 26, a Mahnomen County sheriff's deputy, was shot several
times Wednesday morning while checking a report of shots fired in a
Mahnomen neighborhood. Two Twin Cities-area men face multiple
charges.


      Family spokesman Paul Laney, the Cass County sheriff, said Dewey
remembers what happened and has joked with visitors that he should
have ducked to avoid the gunshots. Family members are ecstatic with
his progress, Laney said.


      "They're so excited about his progress so far and so thankful
they're prayers have been answered," Laney said. "They feel it's
nothing short of a miracle to come from where he was at Wednesday
when he was brought in, to him standing and talking to them and
joking with them.

      "In their words, he's the same old Chris," Laney said.


      Dewey will need at least one more surgery to repair his skull,
and still has limited function of the upper left side of his body,
Sticca said.


      "We're hoping with intensive physical therapy, with
rehabilitation efforts, that he will regain most, if not all, of
that function," Sticca said.


      Dewey has shown no ill effects from the abdominal wound,
although he remains in serious pain from the brain injury, Sticca
said. The surgeon would not predict the recovery time.


      "He's a young, healthy individual. They do tend to recover
better than we would expect," Sticca said.


      Thomas Lee Fairbanks, 32, the alleged shooter, was charged with
first-degree attempted murder and 20 other felony counts in the
shooting of Dewey and the following standoff with officers. Daniel
Kurt Vernier, 27, was charged with 16 felonies.


      Sticca said Dewey was partially conscious and mumbling when he
was taken to a Mahnomen hospital right after the shooting. The
deputy was placed into a medically induced coma before he was
transported to Fargo.


      Laney said law enforcement considers Dewey as family and will be
monitoring the court appearances of the two suspects.


      "This was senseless and it was for no for reason whatsoever,"
Laney said. "I look forward to the day when those two stand before
a judge and explain themselves. And yes, we will be there."
      

Gallery

Wounded Minn. deputy's condition improving

2 charged in shooting of deputy in Mahnomen

Standoff over in Mahnomen; deputy still critical

Crime, Law and Justice

Health

A doctor says a Mahnomen County sheriff's deputy shot who was shot in the head is making
remarkable progress and can now stand with some assistance.

Mahnomen County deputy making 'remarkable progress'

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