Excitement at 12th annual Shop with a Cop with Rowan County deputies
Published 12:10 am Tuesday, December 17, 2024
The Grinch made sure he kept deputies from the Rowan County Sheriff's Office in line during the department's annual Shop with a Cop with kids on Saturday. Photo by Elisabeth Strillacci
Laughter and having a grand time was a big part of Saturday's Shop with a Cop with RCSO and 20 kids. Photo by Elisabeth Strillacci
Finding just the right thing was the name of the game at the Shop with a Cop event, though this young shopper, like others, spent part of her budget on gifts for other family members before beginning the search for her own Chrismas surprises, Photo by Elisabeth Strillacci
Finding Super Mario Legos made this young shopper's morning Saturday at the annual Shopt with a Cop with deputies from the Rowan County Sheriff's Office. Photo by Elisabeth Strillacci
Exploring the different choices for Christmas gifts during the annual Shop with a Cop with Rowan County deputies Saturday. Photo by Elisabeth Strillacci
A wry expression while searching for the perfect Christmas gift Saturday morning during Shop with a Cop. It took some longer to find just the right thing, but in the end, it was worth it. Photo by Elisabeth Strillacci
Shopping for makeup and getting a few tips was part of Saturday morning's Shop with a Cop with RCSO. Photo by Elisabeth Strillacci
The search for just the right Christmas gift during Saturday's Shop with a Cop meant making sure kids checked the bottom shelf as welll Photo by Elisabeth Strillacci
Grinch was ready to give some shopping advice during the annual Shop with a Cop Saturday at WalMart, but not everyone thought he was the best guide. Photo by Elisabeth Strillacci
The Grinch and therapy dog Sandy joined in the fun at Saturday's annual Shop with a Cop with kids and Rowan County Sheriff's deputies at WalMart. Photo by Elisabeth Strillacci
Football was the name of the game for these three participants in Saturday's Shop with a Cop with Rowan County deputies. Photo by Elisabeth Strillacci
SALISBURY — More than 15 deputies from the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office and 20 children from across Rowan County spent Saturday morning Christmas shopping at the local Walmart as part of the annual Shop with a Cop.
Started 12 years ago by Corporal William Walker, the event is an annual opportunity for deputies to have nothing but positive, uplifting interactions with children who might otherwise only know officers as people who show up when bad things happen, said Walker.
“I really enjoy seeing the officers interact with the kids, spend time with them, laughing and just having fun,” Walker said.
The day kicked off with a brief breakfast of donuts, coffee and juice before everyone piled into cruisers and joined in a caravan, complete with lights and sirens, from the First Baptist Church to Walmart. Employees, along with the Grinch, were waiting for the students and officers to arrive, and all took a group photo before heading inside to shop. The department’s therapy dog, Sandy, a golden retriever, was also on hand to help.
“The kids had a $250 budget, and they bought gifts for immediate family as well as themselves,” said Walker. Another deputy added that he is “always impressed by how generous the kids are. They always want to get things for everyone else first.”
Walker is a school resource officer or SRO and has been since December of 2001, one month after he joined the department full time. He came on board as a reserve officer in 1997. He has served at four separate schools, starting at West Middle School, then moving to East High School, West High School and his current position at Faith Academy, and “this will probably be my retirement school.”
He started the program because in his daily interactions with students, he could see some students “need the help, need the attention. You know who comes to school without a proper coat or shoes,” he said.
The kids roamed the store’s toy aisles, with deputies trailing behind with carts, offering advice, encouraging and making suggestions. Walmart, said Walker, has been one of the biggest supporters of the event over the years. “They have a community grant that they use to help support this and this year I think they donated about $4,100, which goes a long way toward making this happen.”
He also recognized the following donors: F&M Bank Foundation, Powles Staton Funeral Home, Cheerwine, Salisbury Community Foundation, First Baptist Church of Salisbury, The Forum, retired Rowan County Sheriff Kevin Auten, with special thanks to the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office, the Spencer Police Department and the Granite Quarry-Faith Police Authority.
Walker has two sons who have accompanied him, along with his wife, to the event each year, and he said this year his sons had reached an age he could hand them a camera and let them go, and their faces as they moved around capturing images was delightful.
“It’s a good lesson for them to learn, and I know that they have all enjoyed it,” he said.
Recommendations for participants come primarily from other SROs or school counselors, said Walker, because “they interact with these kids every day, so they are my eyes and ears and I rely heavily on their recommendations.
Following the shopping excursion, the group reconvened for a pizza party before heading home with their treasures.
