Olive Branch police spread holiday joy with “Shop with a Cop” tradition

Photo: Olive Branch officers help youngsters select Christmas gifts during Monday’s Shop with a Cop event at the city’s Walmart. (Bailee Harris/desotocountynews.com)

By Bailee Harris

Over the past week, the dedicated officers and command staff of the Olive Branch Police Department participated in Shop with a Cop. This event radiates positivity and promotes holiday cheer for DeSoto County families. 

Shop with a Cop is a yearly event where officers pair with the youth and their parents and assist with picking out toys and presents. 

Chief of Police, Bill Cox, explains the event: “Shop with a Cop is our biggest outreach of the year. It’s an opportunity we have to give back to the community and make sure that children who wouldn’t be able to have a happy Christmas can have a happy Christmas.” 

On Dec. 6, Olive Branch police joined forces with Olive Branch Target to kick off this event. Shop with a Cop concluded on Dec. 11 with families and officers shopping at the Olive Branch Walmart. 

Cox reflects on the impact of this event, stating, “I think it’s a tremendous impact. It takes a lot of pressure and worry off of a family because we are able to help them provide a happy Christmas for the children.” 

As officers and the participating children headed to checkout, the police department generously donated a ham for families to enjoy during the holidays. 

He continues, “We just really appreciate all of the donations and support that we get throughout the year because it’s those donations that allow us to be able to do this. So, we are very grateful for everyone who has given, and we thank you for everything that you’re allowing us to be able to do.” 

Bailee Harris is a journalism student at Ole Miss and is a contributor to desotocountynews.com. 

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