Source: Jersey Shore Online
By nature, police officer help people in their communities every day. But Jackson Police Officer Mike Grochowski went over the top recently when he cut off eight inches of his hair and donated it to Pantene Beautiful Lengths, which will use the hair to make wigs for patients suffering from cancer.
Officer Grochowski, who has been with the Jackson Police for 19 years and in law enforcement even longer, said he has been shaving his head every summer for the past 25 years, but this is the first year he decided to donate it. Since he’s still able to grow hair at the age of 46, he figured he’d raise awareness for it this year.
But it certainly doesn’t stop at hair cutting for Officer Grochowski. He is extremely active through fundraisers and charity events with the Jackson PBA #168, such as hosting yearly coat drives and installing wheelchair ramps. The ongoing heroin problem also strikes a chord, and after hearing about individuals who are suffering, he goes to their houses and tries to talk to them and offer resources that might help, in hopes that they might turn their lives around. He said it’s a problem that touches not just the addict, but the whole family.
“From a young age, I always loved to help people – that’s why I became a cop,” he said. “Teach others to do for others,” is his motto, and a very good one at that.
In Howell, police recently delivered a pint-sized police motorcycle to 7-year-old resident and police fan Jake Honig, who has been bravely fighting cancer since he was two years old.
Last year, Jake visited Howell Police officers at their headquarters and was treated to a ride-along and tour, so they decided to return the favor and visit him at his house – this time armed with a motorcycle.
Officers also presented him with a banner that read “Jake ‘The Tank’ Honing: A True Hero.” The nickname refers to his strength in fighting his disease. Jake had previously been in remission for four years before his symptoms started returning in April.
Detective Corporal Mike Pavlick, who knows the family through a mutual friend, coordinated the special occasion and arranged motorcycle’s purchase through the PBA.
Detective Sergeant Christian Antunez spoke on behalf of the Howell Police by saying, “He’s just amazing,” and that Jake can go through 10 hours of testing then go to school the next day like nothing happened.
“He truly is an inspiration to all of us. I’m sure he has positively impacted more people in the past 5 years than most adults do in their entire life,” added Police Chief Andrew Kudrick.