Santa Claus got an assist this year and several families in need had a few more Christmas gifts under the tree, thanks to local law enforcement officers.

Officers with the Truesdale Police, Wright City Police and Warren County Sheriff’s departments raised funds to buy presents for children in need of a little extra holiday cheer this year. The sheriff’s department and Truesdale police made an officer-escorted shopping spree part of their donations.

Looking like VIPs flanked by uniformed men and women in Santa hats, the children got to roam the aisles of Walmart in Warrenton the week before Christmas, picking out anything they wanted. There were no surprises as to what presents they were getting, but there was plenty of fun for the kids and the officers.

This was the first year Truesdale police did a “Shop With a Cop” program. 

“Working with the community and giving back to kids who don’t have a lot is something we wanted to do,” Chief Casey Doyle commented. “Truesdale (police) is mostly a part-time agency, but we had five officers who came in ... and were very excited.”

Doyle said the department raised about $900 from community members and area groups by reaching out through Facebook. They received enough to also provide money for parents to buy groceries or other items while their kids were on a tour of the toy aisles. Doyle said he hopes to grow the fundraising next year.

The Warren County Sheriff’s Department has been doing its own Shop With a Deputy program for a number of years. This was the first year they added grocery donations as well. 

Corporals Shawn Moritz and Alexandria Smith said they volunteer to be on the shopping team every year.

“It’s just awesome to be able to come and shop,” commented Moritz. “It’s fun to be able to go in and just let them run around and say, ‘Hey, pick what you want.’”

“I have two little brothers and sisters, so I know kids super enjoy this kind of stuff,” added Smith. “And kids are usually pretty cool with me.”

To find families who might have had a blue Christmas without a little help, the officers contact their local schools to help connect them. The families who get recommended are those in tough personal or financial situations.

But as their children led officers from toy to toy, bubbling with enthusiasm at all the possibilities, parents smiled as if they too were receiving a cart full of gifts.

“I think this is amazing, I really do. I wish we could have had everyone I know who needs this up here,” said Angie Light as her children shopped with deputies. Light trailed her young son, Dylan, on his shopping spree. 

Light said she was glad they were invited to participate. “The excitement in his face is worth it,” she said.