Sheriff's officials shave their heads in support of deputy fighting cancer

VICTORVILLE • Two months ago, Cameron Pratt’s family received news from his doctor that frightened but also relieved them. Pratt had been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

“It was surreal,” Melissa Pratt, the young San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Victorville deputy’s wife said. “We knew he was sick and it was almost like a relief to know what we had to work with and now we’re able to start a treatment for him.”

He has begun his six-month chemotherapy which physicians told the family would lead to a loss of his hair.

“We couldn’t let him go through that alone,” said Sgt. Jim Evans. “We’re all willing to take a bullet for each other so we were all willing to this.”

As a sign of solidarity, most of the deputies at the Victorville station shaved their heads on Wednesday.

“It’s so wonderful to know that he has this kind of support at work,” Melissa Pratt said fighting back tears as his coworkers patiently waited their turns under the clippers.

Five stylists from local Supercuts donated their time and clipped the tresses of at least 20 men.

Even Pratt’s 3-year-old son, Caleb, begrudgingly took part, also shaving his head like his daddy.

“I’m very, very proud of everyone who participated,” Capt. Cliff Raynolds said. “We’re like a big family here and Cameron’s a great cop.”

Beatriz E. Valenzuela may be reached at (760) 951-6276 or at BValenzuela@VVDailyPress.com.

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