Written by: Colin Staub, Newberg Graphic 

State trooper Nic Cederberg seriously wounded by gunman on Christmas

State trooper Nic Cederberg seriously wounded by gunman on Christmas 

Oregon State Police trooper Nic Cederberg, who graduated from Newberg High School in 2003, was critically injured Christmas night in a shootout with a homicide suspect just south of Sherwood. 

Cederberg, a seven-year OSP veteran, confronted homicide suspect 30-year-old James Tylka at about 10:15 p.m. Dec. 25 after a vehicle chase from King City south on Highway 99W that ended on Southwest Gimm Lane in Sherwood. 

State police said Tylka, a former Beaverton Police Department cadet, was a suspect in the death of his estranged wife, 24-year-old Katelynn Tylka-Armand of Beaverton.

On Christmas night, Tylka-Armand was dropping off their child at James' residence on Southwest King James Place in King City, where he lived with his parents, when she was shot to death. 

Neighbors called police, who responded to find Tylka-Armand's body and witness Tylka fleeing the scene. Police officers from multiple departments as well as sheriff's deputies and OSP troopers including Cederberg gave chase. 

The vehicle pursuit ended on Southwest Gimm Lane, where Tylka shot Cederberg multiple times. Tylka was shot by officers and died at the scene. 

Washington County's Major Crimes Team is investigating the King City killing and the shootout, but as of Friday no details had been released as to what happened. 

Cederberg's recovery

Days after the shooting OSP officials said Cederberg faced more surgery and a long recovery from life-threatening injuries suffered during the shooting. 

Capt. Bill Fugate, OSP spokesman, told reporters Dec. 27 at Oregon Health and Science University Hospital that "Trooper Cederberg undoubtedly risked his life for others on Christmas evening. We are grateful for that. 

"We consider Trooper Nic Cederberg a hero. We believe his intervention and risking his life in an unfolding situation on Christmas undoubtedly saved the lives of members of the public and other police officers." 

Cederberg would have balked at being considered a hero, Fugate told reporters, adding "He is very humble." 

As an example, Fugate said when Cederberg awoke Dec. 26 after his first surgery, and was unable to speak, he communicated to his family that, "I just did my job." 

"After awakening and opening his eyes, he gave his wife a high five," Fugate told reporters. "He has constantly been surrounded by friends and family. Nic has more surgeries scheduled and has a long road ahead in recovery." 

In all Cederberg had three surgeries last week. By Thursday he was able to speak and thanked hospital staff for saving his life, according to his family. 

"He received pretty severe injuries," Fugate said. "But he's a very great guy and he's a fighter." 

As of Friday, Cederberg's family wrote online that his condition was "improving by the hour, and most of the major repair work has been addressed." 

His wife, Portland police officer Hayley Shelton, had been with him since the night of the shooting. 

Newberg alum

Cederberg graduated from Newberg High School in 2003, where he played sports and is remembered by many of the faculty who are still with the district. 

"Nic has always been a risk-taker in high school," said Tim Burke, NHS athletic director. "It's how he competed when I coached him in football. He has always been a people person. Engaging, sincere and full of energy. I am not surprised by the career path he has taken, nor the passion he puts into his work and life." 

Trish Beckius, a physics teacher at NHS, agreed with that sentiment. 

"Many of us still around had him as a student and/or went to school with or have kids who went to school with the Cederbergs," Beckius said. "He was a wonderful student and even a more incredible man and officer." 

Cederberg is also well-known to the Newberg-Dundee Police Department: before he transferred to the North Plains office, Cederberg worked out of the McMinnville OSP office and Capt. Jeff Kosmicki estimated about 75 percent of the NDPD's officers have worked with Cederberg in some capacity. 

"Nic's a great guy personally," Kosmicki said. "I know all of our officers loved working with him and were not happy to see him go to North Plains. He's a high energy guy, the kind of person and police officer you want right next to you on any situation. I guess that's the understatement of the year."

Community looks to help out 

Siblings Jeff and Jaci Cederberg, also graduates of NHS (2000 and 2001, respectively), have set up a GoFundMe account to raise $100,000 that will go to pay for their brother's medical treatment. Jeff Cederberg wrote that his brother's "brave actions" Christmas night "were no surprise to anyone that knows and loves him." 

"He's not the type to run from a fight, and unfortunately during this fight he was hurt fairly bad," Jeff Cederberg wrote. "He loves being an OSP officer and is extremely good at what he does. He pours his heart and soul into protecting each and everyone of us and now we are asking for you to send a little bit of that love his way." 

Another GoFundMe account has been set up to raise $10,000 for the 11-month-old child that Tylka-Armand and James Tylka left behind.