ST. GEORGE — Local Walmarts were raided by police officers and other law enforcement personnel, with selected children leading the way for the traditional of Shop with a Cop event.
The annual shopping spree started with about 55 law enforcement officers, employees and 150 youth at the Gardner Student Center at Utah Tech University for a pancake breakfast.
Each child teamped up with a law enforcement official from the police departments of St. George, Santa Clara/Ivins and Utah Tech.
The officers were assigned 1-3 youths each, preferably siblings, with a wish list for each child who was nominated by school staff and other referral resources.
Even Santa and Mrs. Claus took a break from the Christmas preparations to visit and bring candy canes and cheer to all.
After everyone’s hunger was satisfied, the children rode in police vehicles and were a part of a procession to Walmart in Bloomington. Along the way, the kids could turn on the sirens and experiment with them.
As the procession pulled into the parking lot, the Walmart staff, volunteers and shoppers stood by waving.
Volunteers included local community members from such organizations as Toys for Tots, Desert Rodders Car Club, military veterans and family members of law enforcement.
Washington City Police Department, Washington County Sheriff’s Office and Hurricane Police Department held their Shop with a Cop meeting at the Washington County Fairgrounds. They raided the Walmart located in Hurricane simultaneously.
“It is us doing our part, being part of the community and making sure the children within our area are taken care of during the holidays,” Bloomington Walmart Store Manager Jamie Petrey said. “We love doing it as a store. As an individual, we love to see it every year.”
Police officers and personnel were present with their own families and wives, with the selected kids leading the way for the shopping carts with smiles on all faces after a group photo was taken.
Officers were smiling and laughing, while some, like Officer Ladarius Delaney, posed with peace signs.
Even Deputy Chief Thad Feltner spent some time telling Santa what he wanted.
Added Captain Curtis Spragg: “This is the best assignment of the year.”
Each child was given a spending limit of $150, the allowance coming from the Shop with a Cop program. Other funds came from Toys for Tots, KONY Coins for Kids, Desert Rodders Car Club and individual or business donations.
The Desert Rodders and some of the Walmart employees were busy working away as gift wrappers.
Even a special officer who got a lot of attention from the youth, a member of the K-9 unit, was present with her tail wagging. K-9 Officer Emma and her handler Anthony Ott and Officer Kyle Loethen helped shop for some of the youth.
“I have been over the program for 15 years,” Officer Lona Trombley said. “I have noticed that when the kids grow up and we make contact with them in the community, they love how it’s one of the highlights of their childhood memories.”
Trombley is the coordinator of the annual event for the St. George Police Department. She said the program is important in helping the kids feel more comfortable around law enforcement.
“Sometimes grownups need timeouts like kids, and we’re the ones who do the timeout,” Trombley said.
After each officer with their assigned kids then went to the checkout. Officer took them for another ride in the police unit to deliver the gifts at the kids’ home while leaving them to tell their families the holiday story of shopping with a cop.
Photo Gallery
Local youth were surprised with an escorted shopping spree with police officers of local police departments for the annual Shop with a Cop Saturday, December 10, 2022 | Photo by Nick Yamashita, St. George News
Local youth were surprised with an escorted shopping spree with police officers of local police departments for the annual Shop with a Cop Saturday, December 10, 2022 | Photo by Nick Yamashita, St. George News
Local youth were surprised with an escorted shopping spree with police officers of local police departments for the annual Shop with a Cop Saturday, December 10, 2022 | Photo by Nick Yamashita, St. George News
Local youth were surprised with an escorted shopping spree with police officers of local police departments for the annual Shop with a Cop Saturday, December 10, 2022 | Photo by Nick Yamashita, St. George News
Local youth were surprised with an escorted shopping spree with police officers of local police departments for the annual Shop with a Cop Saturday, December 10, 2022 | Photo by Nick Yamashita, St. George News
Even Captain Curtis Spragg and Deputy Chief Thad Feltner spent time visiting with Santa at the annual Shop with a Cop Saturday, December 10, 2022 | Photo by Nick Yamashita, St. George News
SGPD Officer Ladarius Delaney shows off the reason for the season with peace signs at the annual Shop with a Cop Saturday, December 10, 2022 | Photo by Nick Yamashita, St. George News
2022 file photo for illustrative purposes only of local youth and police officers shopping during the annual Shop with a Cop Saturday, December 10, 2022 | Photo by Nick Yamashita, St. George News
Local youth were surprised with an escorted shopping spree with police officers of local police departments for the annual Shop with a Cop Saturday, December 10, 2022 | Photo by Nick Yamashita, St. George News
Local youth were surprised with an escorted shopping spree with police officers of local police departments for the annual Shop with a Cop Saturday, December 10, 2022 | Photo by Nick Yamashita, St. George News
Local youth were surprised with an escorted shopping spree with police officers of local police departments for the annual Shop with a Cop Saturday, December 10, 2022 | Photo by Nick Yamashita, St. George News
SGPD Officer Tiffany Mitchell helps her assigned youth pick out gifts at the annual Shop with a Cop Saturday, December 10, 2022 | Photo by Nick Yamashita, St. George News
Local youth were surprised with an escorted shopping spree with police officers of local police departments for the annual Shop with a Cop Saturday, December 10, 2022 | Photo by Nick Yamashita, St. George News
Local youth were surprised with an escorted shopping spree with police officers of local police departments for the annual Shop with a Cop Saturday, December 10, 2022 | Photo by Nick Yamashita, St. George News
Local youth were surprised with an escorted shopping spree with police officers of local police departments for the annual Shop with a Cop Saturday, December 10, 2022 | Photo by Nick Yamashita, St. George News
Local youth were surprised with an escorted shopping spree with police officers of local police departments for the annual Shop with a Cop Saturday, December 10, 2022 | Photo by Nick Yamashita, St. George News
Local youth were surprised with an escorted shopping spree with police officers of local police departments for the annual Shop with a Cop Saturday, December 10, 2022 | Photo by Nick Yamashita, St. George News
Local youth were surprised with an escorted shopping spree with police officers of local police departments for the annual Shop with a Cop Saturday, December 10, 2022 | Photo by Nick Yamashita, St. George News
Local youth were surprised with an escorted shopping spree with police officers of local police departments for the annual Shop with a Cop Saturday, December 10, 2022 | Photo by Nick Yamashita, St. George News
Officers Anthony Ott and Kyle Loethen introduce K-9 officer Emma to the kids at the annual Shop with a Cop Saturday, December 10, 2022 | Photo by Nick Yamashita, St. George News
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Nick Yamashita has extensive experience reporting for small town media, covering a variety of subjects and events for The Virgin River Times and The Progress in Southern Nevada. Before a career in journalism, he worked a variety of jobs in criminal justice systems. Yamashita holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and a master's degree in interdisciplinary studies from Southern Utah University. He is an award-winning photographer and writer. He has been published in scholarly articles and poetry compilations. In his spare time, he practices and teaches martial arts.