Brother says shot, wounded OSP trooper able to speak

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – The family of wounded Oregon State Police Trooper Nic Cederberg says he was able to speak with them for the first time since he was shot Christmas night.

His brother Jeff Cederberg wrote late Wednesday on an online donation page that Nic was emotional and thanked doctors and nurses for saving his life. He wrote that his brother’s condition is improving by the hour, and “most of the major repair work has been addressed.”

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office says Cederberg was shot several times by homicide suspect James Tylka following a car chase. Tylka was then killed by police.

Officers pursued Tylka after finding his estranged wife dead outside his suburban Portland home.

Meanwhile, friends of the woman describe her as a shining light with a quick wit and the ability to make people laugh.

Family friend Natalie Walsh tells The Oregonian/OregonLive (https://is.gd/sPiTXc ) that Katelynn Armand tended to see the positive in every situation. Armand told her that her husband struggled with depression and substance abuse. Despite that, Walsh said Armand often spoke highly of him as a father.

Armand and Tylka were separated. Authorities say Tylka fatally shot Armand when she went to drop off their 11-month-old daughter for a visit.

State police say Cederberg remains at OHSU Hospital, where he appears to be “on a good trajectory” after undergoing three surgeries.

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Information from: The Oregonian/OregonLive, http://www.oregonlive.com