Doctors upbeat about Mahnomen deputy's recovery

Dave Wallis, Associated Press

Red River Valley Swat team members gather near the site of a standoff Wednesday morning in Mahnomen, Minn.

Christopher Dewey, 26, shot in the abdomen and head on Wednesday, gave his wife the "thumbs up" sign today.

Star Tribune Staff Writers

Last update: February 19, 2009 - 9:00 PM

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A Mahnomen County sheriff's deputy who suffered a severe brain injury after being shot Wednesday was responding to commands and showing movement on both sides of his body Thursday, his surgeons and a relative said.

Christopher Dewey, 26, who was shot in the abdomen and the head while answering a "shots-fired" call in Mahnomen, Minn., squeezed the hand of his wife, Emily, when she spoke to him and gave her a thumbs-up sign.

"For the first day after major brain trauma and major injury I think he's doing very well," Dr. Chad Justesen, a neurosurgeon who operated on Dewey, said at a media briefing at MeritCare Hospital in Fargo, where Dewey is hospitalized.

Dr. Robert Sticci, who operated on Dewey's abdominal wound, said that injury responded well to surgery and shouldn't present complications. He said Dewey remains in critical but stable condition but is "doing quite well."

Both suspects are in custody. Police identified them as Daniel K. Vernier, 27, of Minneapolis, and Thomas L. Fairbanks, 32, of Anoka. Charges are expected today.

RICHARd MERYHEW

WANT TO HELP?

A fund for the family of Christopher Dewey, left, has been set up at the First National Bank in Mahnomen. Send donations to Deputy Chris Dewey Fund, P.O. Box 378, 103 N. Main St., Mahnomen, MN 56557.