Santa’s Uniformed helpers

Local Fraternal Order of Police’s ‘Shop with a Cop’ program brightens holiday for 20 youngsters

Alas, the Yuletide holidays have passed, but for 20 local youngsters treated to Sunday shopping with local law-enforcement officers, the memories of Christmas are apt to linger well into the new year.

Members of Perry County’s recently revived Fraternal Order of Police chapter raised more than $3,000 for its “Shop with a Cop.” program. The Dec. 17 event at Tell City’s Wal-Mart paired 20 police officers, sheriff’s deputies, conservation officers and others with 20 children aged 2 through 12.

The event left lasting impressions on adults, many of whom were moved by the experience of helping a child and providing, at least for a couple of hours, a role model.

“It was probably one of my most enjoyable moments as a police officer,” said Derrick Lawalin, a Tell City police officer and current president of the Perry County FOP. The revived organization solicited money from individuals and groups in the community to purchase clothing and toys for youngsters.

The group worked with the Perry County Department of Child Services to reach youngsters and Wal-Mart to organize the day, which drew a caravan of police cars to the store. Even Santa showed up to greet youngsters.

Each officer was paired with a child and set off throughout the store with $100 to spend. Approximately $60 was earmarked for clothing: pants, shirts, shoes and coats, with the balance devoted to toys, Lawalin said.

Wal-Mart helped by providing snacks and designating checkout lines for officers and children. After shopping, the group dined at the Blimpie restaurant located within the store.
“Wal-Mart helped us a lot in organizing the event and making things run smoothly,” Lawalin said. Parents and guardians of children also helped make the event a success, he added.
Many officers brought wives or girlfriends with them. Todd Reid, a county deputy, said the experience was heart-warming for him and his wife, Annette. The 2-year-old they shopped for was shy at first but turned into a “ball of sunshine” as they wheeled the cart into aisles packed with toys, the deputy said.“He wasn’t all that talkative at first, but boy did he warm up in the toy section!”

Phil Schuetter, a county-based conservation officer, credited the program for presenting officers in a positive light and as members of the community who care about others.
“We need to be looking for more ways to work with the community and show others we care,” he said.

Lawalin said the county’s FOP, which is accepting associate members who are not law-enforcement officers, will work on programs that reach out to the community, especially young people.