Deputies honored at Twins game for their courage

Minneapolis, Minn. (WDAY TV) - An incredible day in front of thousands of fans for the Mahnomen County Sheriff's Department, including the deputy shot during a nine hour standoff. Deputies Chris Dewey and his partner Chad Peterson were honored for their courage. Peterson threw out the first pitch at the Minnesota Twins game.

As Dewey continues to recover in Denver, there's a whole team back home thinking of him; Reporter Colleen Mahoney has our story.

Members of the Mahnomen County Sheriff's Department marched onto the baseball field; a department of 20, standing together, to honor Deputy Christopher Dewey.

"When you work that close to each other, and there's so few of us and something like this happens, it affects you a lot!"

Dewey was shot in the line of duty in February. He has spent the last 5 months recovering in a Colorado hospital.

"I’m glad he's getting the accolades, he certainly deserves it."

Dewey's partner Chad Peterson threw out the first pitch at today's Twins game as the team honored all first responders. Peterson found Dewey wounded. His work and that of other emergency crews helped Dewey survive.

"I think we just understand it's going to be a long, long slow process. Every time he's awake he seems to still know everybody, uh, he's not talking yet."

Dewey's wife Emily is by his side in Colorado, but sent a video message. His family says Dewey is a baseball fan as the department cheers on the Twins.

"We keep Emily and Chris in our prayers everyday."

A whole dome-full of people are cheering on Deputy Dewey.

"We wish that Chris could be here with us. And participate in this, but he's not able to and that's the only hard part about it."

The department was wearing brown t-shorts saying: "A brother in brown is never down." It’s selling the shirts for 15 dollars with proceeds going to the Chris Dewey recovery fund.

An update tonight on Deputy Dewey's condition, just days after his latest surgery was a success. Doctors impacted two shunts to relieve pressure in his head. Early results show everything is working.

On his Caringbridge site, family say Dewey has been sitting up in a chair for several hours. This is helping relieve pressure on his brain. Dewey has to have more surgery this week.