Flashing lights and wailing sirens filled the air Thursday night as children and law enforcement officers started their trip to Target.
Five law enforcement agencies partnered with the sheriff's office to make Christmas brighter for underprivileged children in Moniteau County. On Thursday, a procession of patrol cars delivered 25 children to Target in Jefferson City to shop with local law enforcement personnel for the annual Shop with a Cop event.
Moniteau County Sheriff Tony Wheatley said the children ranged in ages from 3 to 14 years old. Two Tipton children, Ryder Bracht and Owen Crane, rode with Wheatley after they donated more than $2,000 for Shop with a Cop in September, which they raised through a lemonade stand and a match from the Co-Mo Electric Cooperative.
Wheatley said 22 officers from the six departments -- 15 from the sheriff's office, three from the California Police Department, one from the Tipton Police Department, one from the Jamestown Police Department, one from the Missouri Highway Patrol and one from the Missouri Department of Conservation -- helped make the annual event a success.
Wheatley said Target also played a role in making sure things went smoothly.
"They actually take care of us pretty well there," he said. "We contact them beforehand and Target had cupcakes and hot chocolate for the kids waiting, and they had a giveaway game for the kids for a gift card from Target. They actually staff extra people to help us while they're in there, and they give us our own checkout line dedicated to Shop with a Cop so we can just do it all right there. It worked out really well."
Prior to the trip to Target, children visited the courtroom in the Moniteau County Courthouse for a group picture. From there, the sheriff's office assigned children to the officers they would ride to Target with. Wheatley said the children played with the lights and sirens throughout town.
He added the trip helped turn some frowns upside down.
"Honestly, at the very beginning, we had a few kids who were a little, I would say, apprehensive," Wheatley said. "But, by the time it was over, all the kids were having fun and they were all smiles. It was a good time."
Wheatley said the sheriff's office raised $7,500 for Shop with a Cop in 2023. He said the amount will help it host the event again, even in the case of a "bad year." In addition to Bracht and Crane, the California Fraternal Order of Eagles also chipped in $1,000 for the program. According to a news release by the sheriff's office, other sponsors included: Ozark Brands, the Wooldridge family, Sydenstrickers, Commerce Bank, Regina Anderson, Brockes Tire, Sakelaris Ford, Cargill, Worthey Bail Bonds, Hays Rock Works, and teachers from the California and Jamestown school districts.
"We collected enough that, we think that if we have a bad year next year, we have enough that we can put it on again so we won't have a break in the tradition," Wheatley said.
Donations can be made to Shop with a Cop at the Moniteau County Jail, 210 E. North St., or mailed to the sheriff's office at 110 N. High St., California, Missouri 65018. Contact the sheriff's office at 573-796-2525 for more information.
"We just appreciate all the community support on this and the other law enforcement agencies that went with us to let the kids enjoy this," Wheatley said.
Submitted — A Shop with a Cop participant poses Thursday night with a Moniteau County Sheriff's Office deputy at Target in Jefferson City.
Submitted — Shop with a Cop participants pose Thursday with a Moniteau County Sheriff's Office deputy after checking out at Target in Jefferson City.
Submitted — Ryder Bracht, left, and Owen Crane, right, smile for a picture Thursday with Moniteau County Sheriff Tony Wheatley during Shop with a Cop at Target in Jefferson City. Bracht and Crane raised $2,000 for Shop with a Cop in 2022. The Tipton children raised more than $1,000 with a lemonade stand, which was matched by the Co-Mo Electric Cooperative.