Talbot County, Maryland

12/12/2023

Category: Sheriff Department

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Easton Police Department, Oxford Police Department, and Talbot County Sheriff's Office squad cars depart with lights and sirens from the Elks Lodge #1622 on Dutchman's Lane in Easton to begin their shopping.

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Members of Easton Police Department, Oxford Police Department, and Talbot County Sheriff's Office stand alongside their 'Shop with a Cop' companions at Walmart on Elliot Rd. in Easton.

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Deputy First Class D. Scrivener of Talbot County Sherriff's Office does some holiday shopping alongside his partner at Walmart in Easton for the Talbot Optimist's 'Shop with a Cop' event.

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Cpl. Jeff Smith helps his new friend wrap her gifts after participating in the Talbot Optimist's 'Shop with a Cop' event.

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Capt. Bollinger stays focused on wrapping a present during the 'Shop with a Cop' event.

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Friends and staff enjoy a friendly game of soccer after wrapping presents.

On Saturday, December 9th, the Easton Police Department, Oxford Police Department, and the Talbot County Sheriff’s Office came together for the Talbot Optimist Club’s ‘Shop with a Cop’ event. This event sees police officers pairing up with local youths to assist them on a shopping spree to provide holiday gifts for the youths and their families. 

Debbie Henckel, event organizer and member of the Talbot Optimist Club has been working the event for over a decade. Henckel said, “It’s all about the kids, the smiles on their faces, and them being able to have something to give to their families.” 

The children participating came out to the Elks Lodge #1622 off of Dutchman’s Lane, where they were greeted by and paired with their chaperoning officers. After they were welcomed by the officers, the children ventured out to the squad cars to head over to the Easton Walmart. The squad cars left the Elks Lodge in an impressive fashion, lined up and utilizing lights and sirens similar to a parade procession.

Once they arrived at Walmart, officers helped the children use their budget and shopping lists to acquire presents for their families. Many of the children involved utilized their entire budget to purchase gifts for their families instead of themselves. Fortunately, their kindness did not go unnoticed and was rewarded. The chaperoning officers found it in their hearts to give them a little extra so everyone left with a gift of their own. In addition to the officers chipping in, there were a few shoppers passing by that also donated their own funds to the cause. 

“This is a good place we live in,” said Easton Police Chief Alan Lowrey. Lowrey continued, “I’ve seen these kids looking out for their families instead of themselves, our officers reaching into their own wallets to make sure no one is left out, and even just some local townspeople going out of their way to do the same. It is really moving, and I’m proud to see it all.”  

After all of the shopping was completed, the group came back to the Elks Lodge to get wrapping. Tape, wrapping paper, bags, and scissors were all deployed simultaneously as the officers and their companions took all the gifts and did their best to make everything look beautiful enough to go under the tree. Once completed, the officers and children enjoyed pizza and snacks together, before wrapping up the day by playing a spirited soccer match on the lawn outside.

In all her years organizing the event, Henckel said she always sees familiar faces amongst the officers. “You see a lot of returning officers and you know that's because they care. It’s nice to see their eagerness to be here with the kids. They really make a difference to these kids, and around our community.”

Henckel continued, “We just want to thank the Elks lodge for donating us the space, Easton Walmart for their help in making this possible, as well as Easton Police Department, Oxford PD, and the Sheriffs for coming out this year. To have their support over the years means more than you know.”

This press release was provided by the Town of Easton.

shop with a cop holiday traditions sheriff office