Community’s support enables local ‘Shop with a Cop’ program to thrive

Rosalyan Struble fills New Madrid Police Officer Dana Perry in on the toy she has chosen during "Shop with a Cop" on Dec. 10. The program provided the opportunity for 15 youngsters from the New Madrid County R-1 school District to meet and shop with law enforcement officers for Christmas.

SIKESTON, Mo. - The youngsters’ smiles were wide as they headed down the aisles to shop for Christmas. The only smiles that were bigger were the law enforcement personnel paired with the 15 students from the New Madrid County R-1 School District.

For the eighth year, the New Madrid City Police Department hosted “Shop with a Cop.” The annual event provided five children from each of the District’s elementary school with a memorable day on Monday, Dec. 10.

For the past three years, B.J. Phillips with the New Madrid Police Department has served as chairman of the local “Shop with a Cop.” Phillips explained the program began in 2017 under the guidance of the late Dewayne Whitworth, who was a member of the Department.

At the conclusion of their shopping trip, Cheyenne Chatman gave Sikeston Department of Public Safety officer Jacob Cox a hug for his help during the "Shop with a Cop." The program seeks to provide youngsters with a positive experience with law enforceement and an opportunity to shop for Christmas gifts.

“I do this for Whitworth,” Phillips said. “We were really good friends, so I keep it running for him. He loved doing it and once you see the smiles on the kids’ face, you love it, too.”

Phillips praised the community for their support, noting due to community donations the program has increased the amount of money each of the children is able to spend.

The children spend the money on whatever they choose. Many head straight to the toy aisles while others check out the clothing and shoe departments.

Emberlee Tanner zipped through the aisle's on her new bicycle as she continued shopping with Lakesha Miller with the New Madrid County Sheriff's Department. Emberlee was among 15 youngsters from the New Madrid County County R-1 School District selected to participate in "Shop with a Cop."

Highway Patrol officer Dylan DeJournett is a familiar face to youngsters at New Madrid Elementary where his wife teaches. DeJournett said he likes to take part in the program as another way to serve the community.

“This is a great thing that we can do for the kids,” he said. “And when you see the excitement on the kids’ faces, it makes it all worth it.”

The officers not only accompany the youngsters on their shopping trip through the aisles of Walmart but are also invited to join them for a pizza party following the shopping spree.

Dylan DeJournett, a member of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, pushes Matthew Williamson's new bicycle as Matthew pushes the shopping cart and picks out more toys during the "Shop with the Cop" program on Dec. 10.

New Madrid County R-1 Superintendent Bridgett Masterson said the program is more than an opportunity for the young participants to spend a day out of school and do some shopping.

“This helps them make a connection with our police. It helps create a good relationship with officers so the kids know they can depend on them,” Masterson said. “This is a wonderful program. These officers care about our kids and it shows.”

She added many of the older children also understand it is a community effort that made the day possible. She said those students realize there is a larger community that cares about them, too.

Hunter Williams keeps an eye on the items he selected during the New Madrid Police Department's "Shop with a Cop" on Dec. 10. Williams was assisted in his shopping by Dana Perry. Manning the the cash register is Janet Shanle.

As they came through the checkout lines it was also apparent the children understood about caring for others. Many had selected gifts not just for themselves but for their brothers and sisters.

And there was one last gift many of the youngsters gave - hugs for their law enforcement shopping partners before their time together came to an end.

Carissa Dukes chooses a toy from the top shelf to add to her shopping cart during the New Madrid Police Department's "Shop with a Cop" program on Dec. 10. Shopping with Carissa is Julia York, a dispatcher with the New Madrid County Communications Center.

The goodies just kept on coming for the participants in the New Madrid Police Department's "Shop with a Cop" on Dec. 10. Rosalyan Struble finished her shopping and enjoyed a candy cane provided by Walmart.