The fuzz gets buzzed

Wasilla police shear heads to support officer

By JOHN DAVIDSON-Frontiersman reporter

WASILLA -- If it seems as if all the police officers in Wasilla have shaved heads, it's because they do.

On Monday evening, Wasilla police officers, reserve officers, city employees and teens with the Explorers program gathered at Wasilla Police Department headquarters to buzz their hair off in a show of solidarity with fellow officer Kristi Witherspoon.

Witherspoon was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease on Oct. 5. This week she began four months of chemotherapy treatment to be followed by six weeks of radiation therapy.

Hodgkin's disease, also called Hodgkin's lymphoma, is a cancer that starts in the lymphatic tissue, part of the body's immune and blood-forming systems. It is primarily treated through chemotherapy and radiation therapy, which tend to be highly effective, having a one-year relative survival rate of 93 percent after treatment, according to the American Cancer Society.

"The doctor said I'll be as bald as a cue ball," Witherspoon said. "I'm just grateful everyone came down to give their support."

Witherspoon, 33, has been a full-time police officer in Wasilla for the past five years and a full-time mother for the past 11.

She says WPD is going to play it by ear and let her decide if and when she should take time off. Witherspoon said she wants to remain on active duty as long as she is strong enough to do the job.

Hanah Swanson from Shear Elegance Hair Salon was on hand for the head-shaving Monday evening. Nearly every police officer -- including Chief Don Savage -- got their hair cropped short, as did Jana Griffin and Ken Langlois and others from the city's Department of Public Works.

Contact John Davidson at john.davidson@frontiersman.com.