Dewey’s condition upgraded

Family considers it a miracle

Christopher Dewey, the Mahnomen County deputy who grew up in Isanti County, is doing better than his doctors expected he would after being shot in the abdomen and head on Feb. 18 while on duty.
His condition has been upgraded from critical to satisfactory.
Dewey remains hospitalized at MeritCare Hospital in Fargo, N.D. He was expected to be released late this week or the beginning of next week. From the hospital he will be taken to a rehabilitation facility.
MeritCare surgeon Robert Sticca labeled his progress “remarkable.”
His family feels it is nothing short of a miracle.
“He’s out of danger at the present time,” said Sticca.
Status
On Sunday, he was transferred out of MeritCare Hospital’s critical care unit into a private room in the surgical unit. He began physical therapy.
According to MeritCare critical care specialist Dr. Frank Sepe, Dewey is now moving his left side (he has been moving his right side all along), and is consistently following commands. He is able to stand with assistance, but is not yet walking.
He has limited use of his left arm, but has good function of both legs.
He is able to talk, and, as of noon on Saturday, he has been able to eat soft foods.
Dewey was taken off the ventilator on Friday, and has been breathing on his own.
Sticca said, “Chris is now out of immediate danger and has done great so far, but he will undergo more surgery, and there’s still a long road ahead for him and his family because of the injury to his brain.”
“We’ve had some good, encouraging early signs,” said Dewey’s father-in-law, Ross Boulden of Princeton, speaking on behalf of the family during a news conference on Feb. 19.
He added, “We have such a strong faith; we know we will get through this.”
Injuries
Dewey was shot on the right side of his head. Inside the skull, the bullet split into several fragments; one continued out through the right frontal lobe. During a four-hour-long surgery on Wednesday, MeritCare Dr. Justesen cleaned up the brain fragments that had shattered, some of the damaged brain under the bone, and the contaminated wound.
He expects Dewey to need at least one more brain surgery. The skull defects will need to be repaired, as will the lining of the brain.
Dewey will also need to undergo several months of rehabilitation.
Sticca expects Dewey to suffer from various neurological deficits due to the injury, but hopes that with intensive physical therapy and rehabilitation that he can regain most, if not all, of his functions.
He’s in good spirits
According to his wife, Emily (nee Boulden), Dewey has been in good spirits. The two are high school sweethearts who wed three years ago.
On Saturday, he was joking with his partners from the sheriff’s office about how he “should have ducked” and “it isn’t like the movies.”
Two members of the Cass County Sheriff’s Department, Captain Carlos Perez, and his wife, Deputy Kelly Perez, have donated a home they own for Dewey’s family to use while he is in the hospital.
“Our goal is that they have nothing to worry about except taking care of Chris and Emily,” said Cass County Sheriff Paul Laney.
A fund has been set up to benefit the Christopher Dewey family. Donations may be sent to: Deputy Chris Dewey Fund, PO Box 378, 103 N. Main St., Mahnomen, MN 56557. Or, call (218) 935-5251.
The family would like people to know that they are continuing to update Dewey’s Web page on caringbridge.org; Web site name: chrisdewey.
Additional updates will be posted online at www.isanti-chisagocountystar.com.

Doctors pleased with Dewey’s status

Christopher Dewey, the Mahnomen County deputy with who grew up in Isanti County, is doing better than his doctors expected he would after being shot in the abdomen and head on Feb. 18 while on duty.
Dr. Robert Sticca, the general surgeon at MeritCare Hospital in Fargo, N.D. who performed the abdomen surgery, noted on Thursday that Dewey is in critical but very stable condition.
“He has begun to show some signs of being aware of his surroundings,” Sticca stated during a press conference Thursday. “He’s recognized his family. He’s squeezed their hands. He’s actually doing quite well.”
Sticca added, “We’re all cautiously optimistic at this point.”
Neurosurgeon Dr. Chad Justesen would not speculate on the extent of Dewey’s brain injuries. He is currently in a medically-induced comma so that doctors can monitor brain swelling.
Justesen expects to begin lessening the sedation on Friday, but cautioned that it will be awhile before Dewey is completely awake. It will be several days after that before doctors will know how the bullet damaged the brain.
Dewey was shot on the right side of his head. Inside the skull, the bullet split into several fragments; one continued out through the right frontal lobe. During a four-hour-long surgery on Wednesday, Dr. Justesen cleaned up the brain fragments that had shattered, some of the damaged brain under the bone, and the contaminated wound.
He expects Dewey to need at least one more brain surgery. The skull defects will need to be repaired, as will the lining of the brain. Depending on how much the injury swells, another surgery may be required, although Dr. Justesen thinks that is unlikely.
Dewey will also need to undergo several months of rehabilitation.
While Dewey has not yet opened his eyes and looked around, when asked to make a thumbsup sign, he has done so. He has also squeezed hands upon request.
“He’s doing very well considering his injuries,” noted Justesen.
Family is cautious, but optimistic
“We’ve had some good, encouraging early signs,” said Dewey’s father-in-law, Ross Boulden of Princeton, speaking on behalf of the family.
“But we’re still cautious.”
He added, “We have such a strong faith, we know we will get through this.”
Boulden’s daughter, Emily, has been married to Dewey for three years. The two were high-school sweethearts who met eight years ago while attending Cambridge-Isanti High School.
Boulden expressed the family’s “heartfelt” thanks to law enforcement, MeritCare and the Red Cross.
“We thank all the family and friends for keeping us in their prayers,” he said.
The Red Cross has been assisting the family in bringing Dewey’s two brothers who serve in the Armed Forces home. One is currently stationed overseas.
Speaking on behalf of his daughter, Emily, Boulden said, “Christopher is the most wonderful man. … He is an avid family person.” He noted that he has a passion for the outdoors and enjoys fishing and hunting.
Emily agreed with another person’s description of her husband as a “big teddy bear.”
As a testament to his personality, Boulden noted that a man Chris had arrested contacted the family Wednesday to send his best. “Chris has touched many hearts,” noted Boulden.
He noted that his son-in-law also dreamt of being a law enforcement officer.
Boulden asked that people continue to keep Dewey in their prayers.
Law enforcement has rallied around family
The law enforcement community has rallied around Dewey and his family.
According to Cass County Sheriff Paul Laney, when an officer is injured, “it cuts through law enforcement like a hot torch.”
Those in the field consider each other family, and when one goes down the rest are there to lend a hand.
He noted that in such cases the family of the officer is instantly traumatized.
“We’re doing everything we can to care for them,” Laney said.
They have arranged for housing for Dewey’s family members, both immediate and for the next few months. A vehicle has also been lined up.
“Our goal is that they have nothing to worry about except taking care of Chris and Emily,” said Laney.
Fund set up, updates available at Caring Bridge site
A fund has been set up to benefit the Christopher Dewey family.
Donations may be sent to:
Deputy Chris Dewey Fund, PO Box 378, 103 N. Main St., Mahnomen, MN 56557. Or, call (218) 935-5251.
The family has also set up a CaringBridge site to provide updates on Dewey’s condition. The site can be viewed by visiting caringbridge.org, site name chrisdewey.

Officer with ties to Isanti shot in Mahnomen County

A Mahnomen County sheriff’s deputy who grew up in Isanti was shot Wednesday morning.
Christopher Dewey, 26, is listed in critical but stable condition following surgery Wednesday at MeritCare hospital in Fargo.
He was shot in the head and abdomen by a high-powered rifle.
THE INCIDENT
According to the Mahnomen County Sheriff’s Department, Dewey responded to the call of a possible drunk driver leaving the Shooting Star Casino in Mahnomen at about 4 a.m. on Feb. 18. The vehicle fled the scene. Dewey discovered it parked near the county courthouse. Footprints led to a nearby residence.
When Dewey’s partner attempted to make contact with Dewey and was unable to, the officer went to the scene shortly after 7 a.m. and found Dewey lying shot in the driveway.
Dewey was stabilized at Mahnomen Health Center and transferred to MeritCare Hospital, Fargo, via LifeFlight. He arrived at 8:25 a.m.
Members of over 12 different law enforcement agencies surrounded a nearby home all day, attempting to take the suspects into custody. Two were arrested and were expected to be charged on Thursday.
TWO SURGERIES
Two surgeries have been performed on Dewey since his arrival at MeritCare.
Dr. Robert Sticca, a general surgeon, performed the abdomen surgery. There was an entrance and exit wound with laceration to the liver, which was repaired.
The victim also suffered one gun shot wound to the head resulting in a severe brain injury. Dr. Chad Justesen, a neurosurgeon, completed surgery at 1:20 p.m., approximately four hours later. Dewey is listed in critical condition. It is too soon to know what his prognosis is, according to hospital representatives.
The hospital was locked down on Wednesday. Additional supplies, such as blood, MeritCare staff and security were sent to Mahnomen in preparation for the possibility of more victims. Chaplains were also sent to assist.
FOOTBALL PLAYER
On his myspace page, Dewey lists Isanti as his hometown.
Dewey graduated from Cambridge-Isanti High School in 2001. He was on the football team.
He next went on to earn an associate’s degree in law enforcement from Hibbing Community College in 2003.
Dewey married one and one-half years ago; he has no children. He has been working for the Mahnomen County Sheriff’s Department for the past four years.