Kent Police are strutting around the city with beards this month to honor one of their own.

Facial hair was, at one point, against law enforcement policy.

However, since starting a women’s and men’s health initiative for local cancer patients, beards have become a staple of the city police department in November.

Sixteen years ago, Officer Susan K. Graves died of breast cancer at 35 years old. To carry out her legacy, the Kent police department established an official charity cancer fund in her name.

But instead of their fundraising efforts going to a national organization, the police donate directly to the community through the Seidman Cancer Center.

TV2’s Sydney Brown has the whole story.

Sydney Brown is a TV2 reporter. Contact her at [email protected]