‘Shop With A Cop’ Rolls Through Town
Their job is to protect and serve. Law enforcement officers from across Eastern Idaho served an extra special mission Saturday: a mission to brighten Christmas morning for dozens of kids.
33 law enforcement officers took part in the 20th annual Shop With A Cop Event, in Bonneville County.
Police sirens filled the streets of Idaho Falls in the wee hours of of the morning, but it was not to catch a villain; it was to catch the smiles of children for the Shop With a Cop event.
The Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office, Idaho Falls Police Department, Iona Police Department, Fish and Game wardens, Idaho State Police troopers and state probation and parole personnel were among the 33 men and women putting a sparkle in these kids’ eyes.
The day kicked-off with breakfast at the Eagles Lodge. Kids had a chance to converse with cops about all sorts of things.
Then the kids and their cops paraded to Kmart for shopping and to meet the man himself; Santa Claus!
Captain Royce Clements said he has been a part of the annual event for a long time.
“Anytime that we get a chance to take kids and go out and have a good time with them, and help them have a nice Christmas, it makes life worthwhile. I just really enjoy doing it,” Captain Clements said.
Shiane Ritchie, one of Santa’s helpers, remembers when she did Shop With A Cop at the age of five. She is now 13.
“I remember we were buying pants for my mom and the officer was like ‘What size is she?”‘ and I was like ‘I don’t know!’ So, we bought the wrong size and we had to take them back. What made me do it again was I just like seeing the kids happy and their faces when they come shopping and they see Santa Clause and the big truck come,” Ritchie said.
The 31 kids ranged from 5 to 13 years old.
“We were looking for a board game because we have a lot of people in our family, so that we don’t have to shop individually for everybody and then some things for my mom and my dad,” Cooper, one of the childre, said.
One little shopper could not contain her excitement in the store!
“I went into the car and drove in the front seat and stuff like that. I’m excited to be shopping with a cop and getting stuff for my family,” Myliegh said.
Bonneville County’s Sgt. Brian Lovell said he loves being a part of the event because the kids usually see officers in their home and that Shop With A Cop is a great way to show who cops are in a different light.
