On Sunday, he got to be right alongside his idols. Blagg, one of 15 area youth who participated in the second annual Shop With a Deputy program offered by the Warren County Sheriff's Department and Ladies Auxiliary Sunday at the Warrenton Wal-Mart, had a day to remember. Paired with Deputy Kurt Hey, Blagg overcame his shyness once he was shown some new bikes. After Hey helped pick out one that fit the boy's 5-year-old frame just perfect, the aisle soon became Blagg's racetrack. With Blagg trying out the soon-to-be new bike, his mother, Tammy Blevins, beamed as she looked on as her son pedaled down the aisle. "He's never had a bike before or been able to do this before," she said. "For a five-year-old, could you imagine?" Indeed, it was a brighter Christmas for everybody involved. The Shop With a Deputy program is becoming an annual event for the sheriff's department and ladies auxiliary. The two agencies join forces to raise money, from hosting a dunking booth at the city of Warrenton's Catch the Glow festival to accepting donations throughout the year. During the course of Sunday's shopping spree, Sheriff Kevin Harrison said it wasn't uncommon for an individual to come up and hand him a few dollars. From Star Wars to Elmo to Barbie dolls to board games, shopping carts being pushed around by deputies were full of holiday cheer. Harrison said all 15 children who participated in Sunday's event were referred by the Department of Family Services. Each child had $100 dollars to spend. "It's pretty neat, the sheriff said. Sunday's event also gives area youth an opportunity to spend time with deputies who otherwise might not be able to show their personable side while on the job or in difficult circumstances. "They definitely get a better perception of us as cops," Deputy Jill Bloomfield said. "I don't know what their perception of us is, but we are all pretty nice. "I think everybody I work with has kids. They go crazy shopping for their own kids for Christmas so it's only fair for all the kids we've worked with to have a Christmas like all the other kids get," she added. Parent Eric Crump agreed. Before the holiday shopping began, he had a hard time containing his excited sons, Jacobi, 7, and Calib, 6. Jacobi was even thoughtful enough to pick out a toy for his younger brother to share with. "Money has been really tight so this is great," Eric Crump said. "It also helps rebuild relationships with a younger generation and the police. It's very important." The kids certainly had a fun day and left with a haul. But some of the toys might actually have to wait - the ladies auxiliary planned on wrapping some of the presents. "It was fun," said Tyler Schone, 7. "I was excited all day. I just chose stuff." Still sitting on his bike at the checkout, Blagg added: "It's really cool." Before the shopping came to a close, Deputy Hey looked down the crowded aisle full of kids and cops. He shook his head and smiled. "It's for the kids, plain and simple," Hey said. "It's an opportunity to give to these kids. As Chase went and picked his first bike out, (Blevins) was like I would never have been able to do anything like this. "I am happy that I can be a part of something like that and giving somebody something that they haven't been able to get."

A Brighter Christmas: Shop With a Deputy program a Big Hit for Area Youth

A Brighter Christmas: Shop With a Deputy program a Big Hit for Area Youth