With the assistance of nearly 75 local children, deputies from the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Department completed a thorough investigation of Walmart’s toy department during their annual Shop with a Deputy event Saturday morning.
On the scene at the University Town Centre retailer, participating children could be seen waiting anxiously with their families, armed with Christmas lists and shopping carts.
Those carts quickly filled up as deputies escorted the kids around the store, searching for everything from new bicycles to hair accessories and makeup.
Leaving the scene, visual evidence of full carts and big smiles showed a few dozen Mon County kids will now have a little happier holiday.
“This is my 31st year of doing this and it’s just – it’s the best thing we do at the Deputy Sheriff’s Association,” said Sheriff Perry Palmer. “To see the smiles on some of these children’s faces and their families – it makes this a great Christmas for them. It’s been great.”
Funded mainly by donations from community members and local businesses, the department was able to purchase $200 in gifts for each of the almost 75 kids who participated, said Detective Division Assistant Tammy White, who helped organize the event.
Palmer said the event has grown significantly over the three decades he has participated, not only with the number of children, but also the number of deputies who turn out.
“It just goes to show you they are really involved in the community and they want to help,” he said of the 15 deputies who chose to join in the fun this year. “It’s grown and grown and gotten bigger – it’s great. The community enjoys it.”
Even former officers, like retired Deputy Todd Forbes, came to participate. Forbes served as a member of the department for 27 years before retiring.
“This is actually the funnest thing we ever did,” Forbes said. “To see the kids smiling – I’ve had a blast today walking around with these kids. It’s truly the spirit of the season. We enjoy it every year.”
Palmer said he believes it’s important to continue holding interactive events like Shop with a Deputy so “people know that our sheriff’s department is behind them, and we are here to help.
“The only time you may get to see a police officer is when you call them on a bad incident,” he said. “This way it opens it up for a good incident and everybody enjoys themselves.”
