New Baltimore police officer parts ways with locks for good cause

NEW BALTIMORE, Mich. – When it comes to New Baltimore police officers, you don't get much tougher than Patrick Dunbar. His job as a reserve officer puts him in charge of all of the people behind cell doors. 

"I run the detention center," Dunbar explained. "I basically tend to all of the prisoners -- from making sure they're eating to staying in line."

The 59-year-old is also a Navy veteran.

"My dad was a Detroit police officer when I was a kid," Dunbar said. "But he always pushed me to become a electrician. So, I did. But when I started school up again, I thought this is my chance to follow in my dad's footsteps."

While Dunbar has a noticeable passion to serve, he also has long, long hair.

"I am ready for the ponytail to go," Dunbar said. "When I'm on my motorcycle, it gets all tangled."

He's a tough-as-nails type of guy, but his passion to serve has taken him (and his hair) to Wigs for Kids in Macomb County.

"My wife was doing a fundraiser for a little girl who had cancer," said Dunbar. "I'll never forget the affects cancer had on her, especially her hair loss."

Dunbar has donated his locks before, but it was time to do it again. And no one was happier than the CEO of Wigs 4 Kids in Macomb, Maggie Varney.

"Ten percent of our customers are little boys," Varney said. "Although we don't know who gets what hair, boys always come in and say, 'Miss Maggie, I don't want girls hair, I want boys hair.' That's why Patrick's donation is extra special."

On Wednesday, one by one, Dunbar's locks came off,  not only guaranteeing him a brand new look, but giving a sick little boy the chance to get a new look, too. 

Another motivation for Dunbar's donation -- he's a Stage 3 colon cancer survivor.

If you're interested in learning more about Wigs for Kids Macomb, click here.