Each year employees of the Hartselle Police Department participate in No-Shave November in an effort to raise awareness for cancer.  

The No-Shave November concept, according to no-shave.org, is to “grow awareness by embracing our hair, which many cancer patients lose, and letting it grow wild and free. Donate the money you typically spend on shaving and grooming to educate about cancer prevention, save lives, and aid those fighting the battle.” 

This year the HPD set a record for the No-Shave journey and fundraising with 20 officers and staff members participating, raising $6,319. The previous record amount raised for No-Shave November was just under $4,500, HPD Chief Justin Barley said.  

“The biggest difference this year, that kind of pushed us over that record, is that we had found a way to get the females involved,” he said. “So we had five of those who participated this year and they did so by adding a pink strip to their hair, either with a clip-in or actually dyed it. That pushed us over because we had so much more participation.” 

The participating officers and staff gathered Dec. 2 at Hartselle City Hall to donate the funds raised to the family of Officer Brad Freeman and his wife Amanda, who was recently diagnosed with cancer.  

“We were glad to be able to do something to help one of our own,” Barley said. “It doesn’t end here. She’s got a battle ahead of her and we’ll continue to support them in every way we can because they are our family.”