Shot Trooper Speaks

Oregon State Trooper Nic Cederberg, who was shot multiple times by a homicide suspect who was killed in the Christmas Day exchange, spoke for the first time since the incident on Wednesday. It happened after his third surgery in as many days.

"Tonight Nic was able to talk to us for the first time," his brother Jeff wrote on a GoFundMe page set up to help the family. "He was pretty emotional and sincerely thanked each and every doctor, nurse, and all of the support staff for saving his life.

"He even apologized for the foul language and promised that he would work on it."

Jeff wrote that his brother's condition "is improving by the hour, and most of the major repair work has been addressed. The hospital staff claim he is one of the toughest guys they've seen come through the ICU in quite some time."

As of 9:45 Thursday morning, nearly 600 people had donated $46,877 to the Cederberg family though the fundraising page.

Earlier in the day, before he was able to speak, Jeff Cederberg said that his brother had spelled out "did my job" to his family, gave his wife a gentle high-five and gave his three-month-old nephew a fist bump.

State Police say that Cederberg, 32, was shot several times by 30-year-old James Tylka, whom they believe had just killed his wife.

Cederberg is a seven-year veteran of the State Police assigned to North Plains. He previously served in the United States Army.

"We consider Nic Cederberg a hero," said Oregon State Police Spokesman Capt. Bill Fugate at a press conference on Tuesday. "He undoubtedly saved the lives of members of the community and other police officers.

"He has a long road of recovery ahead of him."

This is the second time that Cederberg has been involved in a shooting while on duty.

In October 2015, he and another trooper were involved in a shootout with Andrew DeHart on Highway 26. DeHart fired 99 times while Cederberg and his partner fired 32 times. DeHart, who had been wanted on attempted murder and kidnapping charges, was not hit but later shot and killed himself.

Officials say that the situation started Sunday afternoon when Tylka's wife, Kate Armand — they were separated and in the process of divorcing — dropped their 11-month-old daughter off at the house he shares with his parents.

Tylka then followed Armand outside the house. He then shot and killed her.

He fled the scene, leaving officers from the state police, Hillsboro, Tigard, Sherwood and Tualatin on the chase that ended with Cederberg being shot, Tylka being killed.

The Washington County Major Crimes Team is leading the investigation of Armand's murder, the shooting of Cederberg and death of Tylka.

From 2004-2006, Tylka had been in the Beaverton Police Cadet Program, a since-disbanded volunteer program that encouraged people 16-21 to learn more about the police. The cadets were never armed.

In June, he and Armand filed for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy citing more than $164,000 in debt with only $20,574 in assets.

That filing indicated he had been working as an account executive for Comcast.

Tylka also had a son from a previous marriage.

His wife filed for sole custody earlier this fall, saying their son was in immediate danger. Tylka had also gone through voluntary bankruptcy with his previous wife in 2001 and 2002, according to court records.

People looking to assist Cederberg's family can do so several ways, according to the State Police.

email: OSP.social@state.or.us

mail: Oregon State Police

Attention: Trooper Cederberg

3565 Trelstad Ave SE

SALEM, OR 97317

Donations can also be made through the Oregon State Police Officers Association website.

Meanwhile, the city of North Plains is organizing a candlelight vigil to show support for Cederberg on January 2 at 6:00 p.m. at the Jessie Mays Community Center at 30975 Northwest Hillcrest Street.

Photos courtesy Oregon State Police