Albert Lea High School raising money for injured officer
Published 9:16 pm Tuesday, February 4, 2020
Albert Lea High School students will have a chance to have a little fun this week as they raise money to support Waseca Police Officer Arik Matson, who is recovering after being shot last month while responding to a call of a suspicious person.
![](https://www.albertleatribune.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/01/0108.Matson.jpg)
Arik Matson
Matson, a 2006 Albert Lea High School graduate, was released from North Memorial Health Hospital in Rochester and has been moved to an acute care facility for longer-term care.
High school Principal Mark Grossklaus said a student wanted to do something to raise money to support Matson and his family through his recovery. Some of the staff members involved also had Matson as a student and wanted to show their support of Albert Lea High School alumni and their appreciation for his effort to serve and protect people.
As funds are raised, staff members have agreed to cut or shave off their hair or facial hair.
If $5,000 is raised, science teacher Ken Fiscus will shave his mustache and goatee, and social studies teacher Sean Gaston will have his head shaved.
At $10,000, science teacher Hoang Tran and business instructor Max Jeffrey will have their heads shaved on the lowest clipper setting.
At $15,000, social studies teacher Kurt Barickman will have his ponytail cut to donate to Locks of Love and get his hair trimmed and Grossklaus will allow three students to shave his head.
Students and staff will collect funds during school. Alumni and community members who wish to donate can also do so by dropping off donations at the high school.
Different hair-cutting events will be scheduled as funds are collected.