Mahnomen deputy wounded while on duty dies

Dewey and his wife
Mahnomen County deputy Chris Dewey, shown here with his wife Emily in a photo from January 2010. Dewey was shot in the head in the line of duty in February 2009, and family members now say he is near death due to complications.
Photo courtesy of CaringBridge

Chris Dewey, the Mahnomen County sheriff's deputy who was shot in the line of duty in February 2009, has died.

Mahnomen County Sheriff Doug Krier confirmed that Dewey died at 10:30 a.m. at home with his wife, Emily, at his side.

Dewey's CaringBridge website also confirmed his death.

"Chris's long and painful battle is over," according to a message posted to the site.

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.

Dewey has been in hospice care for the past month or so. Dewey showed signs of recovery early on that surprised his doctors, but he has had a string of complications in recent months, including a brain hemorrhage and a collapsed lung.

Dewey has been unable to talk since last fall.

He was shot in the head while investigating a suspected drunken driver.

Krier said in a news release that a funeral with full law enforcement honors was being planned.