As Bert Jewett watched his daughters fulfill their Christmas wish list, he glowed with joy.“Why are you so happy?” asked his daughter, Aniya, during last Thursday’s Shop With a Deputy event.“I’m happy to see you happy,” responded Jewett, whose family was one of two chosen to be adopted by the Warren County Sheriff’s Department this holiday season. Each of his six children received a $150 gift card to use toward purchases of their choice.“I was incarcerated, and I didn’t have any money, period,” said Jewett. “People out here look out for me a lot. God blessed me. He came through for me, because I didn’t have anything for my kids. So when the call came for this situation, it was a blessing.”Warren County Sheriff Kevin Harrison says this event is an important part of the department’s outreach, giving a new meaning to “serve” and protect.“We have so much fun doing this,” said Harrison. “We do a couple fundraisers throughout the year, and the community is really good about helping out.”This year between the jail and patrol staff the department raised around $900 through the “Santa Clause” initiative, a program that allows them to not shave for a couple months.“In October we relax our grooming standard, but the guys have to write a check for $50 to Shop With a Deputy,” said Harrison.Each child was paired up with a deputy, who guided the cart along and helped keep a tally of expenditures.“Sometimes people think of us as the Grinch, who take people to jail,” said Deputy Brian Bowker. “So this is something outside of what we normally do that’s a lot of fun and reflects well in the community.”“It makes you feel good inside to help somebody who is a little less than fortunate than me,” said Deputy Shawn Mayberry. “Kids by nature are scared of policemen, and this shows the lighter side of law enforcement. We want to give back to the community that we serve.”This year’s program helped ensure 13 area children had gifts under the tree on Christmas morning. Harrison says the families are selected through a collaboration with local pastors and school counselors.“We try to spread the generosity across the county,” said Harrison. “This year we’ve got families from both north and south.”Carts loaded with toys, games and clothes, the Jewett sisters made their way to the checkout, accompanied by their deputy buddy.“My kids picked whatever they wanted, and whatever they got, they’re happy with it,” said Jewett. “Just to see them happy is a blessing.”And the feeling is reciprocated back onto those giving.“It makes us happy to help the kids out here who aren’t as fortunate as everyone else and give them that joy,” said Deputy Dwayne Paul. “To see that smile on their face when they pick out that toy they really want and wouldn’t be able to get without us.”

Rihanna Jewett picks out a toy during the Shop With a Deputy event last Thursday. Jewett and her four sisters received a shopping spree with deputies after the Jewetts were chosen as one of two families adopted by the Warren County Sheriff’s Department this Christmas season. Also pictured are deputies Dwayne Paul, left, Shawn Mayberry, center, and Waymond Hemphill.

Record photo/Derrick Forsythe

Giana Jewett, left, and her sisters, Maleah and Rihanna, eagerly pick out items at Walmart during the Shop With a Deputy event Dec. 20. The Jewetts were one of two families adopted by the Warren County Sheriff’s Deputy this year for Christmas, with each child receiving a $150 shopping spree accompanied by the deputies.

Record photo/Derrick Forsythe