MORGANTOWN — About a dozen deputies with the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Department responded to Walmart at University Town Centre on Saturday.
Not to an emergency but to help about 100 kids shop for Christmas during the department’s annual Shop with a Cop event.
“It’s a big reward just to see the smile on these kids’ faces,” Sheriff Perry Palmer said.
Each child was given a budget of $125 to spend on anything he or she wanted. Palmer said the money was provided by the Deputy Sheriff’s Association, but it was really the community who made the event possible through its donations to the association.
Children ages 2-12 are able to participate, and Detective’s secretary Tammy White begins handling out applications and logistics for the event in October. White said the sheriff’s department has been doing Shop with a Cop for at least the past 20 years she’s been there.
Deputies took groups of kids around the store while the children picked out what they wanted for Christmas. Some children had carts full of little items while others went for a single big item. Palmer said the children could get toys but could also get clothes or gifts for their family.
Dominick DeWitt, 9, picked out a basketball hoop and a ball returner for the hoop. DeWitt, a second-time participant, said he recently started playing basketball and now he’ll be able to practice at home.
“They were really nice,” DeWitt said of the deputies.
Deputy S. Fitzwater, one of the department’s newest deputies, participated in Shop with a Cop for the first time on Saturday.
The former teacher said he was excited for the event and planned to volunteer as soon as he found out about it.
“It’s a great experience to see the excitement on kids’ faces,” he said.
Children often only see or interact with law enforcement during negative situations, but events like Shop with a Cop help show police in a positive manner, Fitzwater said.
As a new resident of Mon County, the event was a “great way” for him to familiarize himself with the community he now serves, Fitzwater said.
