Six Stafford Elementary students “Shop with a Cop” for Christmas

Barry Byers Posted December 19, 2012 4:00pm Italy PD

Image: The Italy Police Department enjoyed their second-striaght “Shop with a Cop” program where officers picked up six selected students from Stafford Elementary and then gave them all a squad car sleigh ride to Wal-Mart in Waxahachie where the students purchased Christmas gifts for themselves and their family members. — The Italy Police Department enjoyed their second-striaght “Shop with a Cop” program where officers picked up six selected students from Stafford Elementary and then gave them all a squad car sleigh ride to Wal-Mart in Waxahachie where the students purchased Christmas gifts for themselves and their family members. (Barry Byers)

Italy — The Italy Police Department, for the second year in a row, thanks the community for donations to help ensure another successful “Shop with a Cop” experience for Stafford Elementary students. Each Christmas holiday, students are selected by the school’s administration to participate in the event. This trip, officers paired up with six students who were picked up from the school at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 11, and then received a siren blaring escort to Wal-Mart in Waxahachie.

Once inside, with shopping carts and officers in tow, and $300 for each to spend, the students began exploring and testing every toy and item on the shelf to find just the right gifts not just for themselves, but for family members as well.

Chief Diron Hill teamed up with 1st grader Christopher Cryer, Sergeant Tierra Mooney paired with 3rd grader Farrah Eglich with help from Officer Bryan McFarland of the Bryan Police Department, Officer Eric Tolliver and 2nd grader Chance Shaffer were like two kids in a toy store, Officer Shawn Martin assisted 6th grader Julliette Salazar, Officer Mike Richardson was on a mission with 5th grader Mitchell Darell and Officer Shelbi Landon shopped with 4th grader Arley Salazar.

With all carts full of gifts, the convoy continued to the checkout line where Wal-Mart employee Rebecca Mentzel scanned all the items with a Christmas smile. With their police car sleighs loaded down with goodies, the group then returned to Italy where they met inside the city council chamber room to wrap all the gifts. Once the final bow was in place, the students returned to the elementary via their squad car sleighs full of Christmas spirit and with no worries with Christmas drawing near.

So whenever you see a “Shop with a Cop” donation box, drop in a few wishes come true that will directly benefit our local students and their families, ensuring a Merry Christmas for all!

You can support the “Shop with a Cop” program by attending the 4th of July Guns vs. Hoses softball game and fireworks show or by donating anytime throughout the year at the Italy Police Department, located next to Italy City Hall. If you would like to donate your time, money, or Wal-Mart gift cards to help make a child’s Christmas special, or would like to nominate a child for next December, please contact:

Sergeant Tierra Mooney at (972) 483-6414, Ext 6.

“Thanks everyone for your continued support of our Shop with a Cop program!” — Chief Diron Hill, I.P.D.

Italy Police Officers pick up Stafford Elementary students in their sleigh-like squad cars Tuesday, December 11, and take the students to “Shop with a Cop” for themselves and their families for Christmas. Pictured (L-R) are: Officer Mike Richardson with Mitchell Darell, Officer Shelbi Landon with Arley Salazar, Officer Shawn Martin with Julliette Salazar, Officer Eric Tolliver with Chance Shaffer, Sergeant Tierra Mooney with Farrah Eglich and Chief Diron Hill with Christopher Cryer. (Barry Byers)

Go, Go, Go! The Italy Police Department exits the Stafford Elementary parking to entourage the six students to Wal-Mart in Waxahachie for a “Shop with a Cop” spree. (Barry Byers)

Cars make way for the Italy Police Department sirens as Stafford’s students make a loud departure. (Barry Byers)

Officer Shawn Martin demonstrates to Juliette Salazar how to track down just the right book. (Barry Byers)

Officer Eric Tolliver and Chance Shaffer go down the furniture isle incognito in camo and shades as if they’re on a secret Santa mission. (Barry Byers)

Arley Salazar picks out a puzzle while Officer Shelbi Landon surveys the scene. (Barry Byers)

Christopher Cryer and Chance Shaffer are ready to rumble with new championship wrestling belts. The gift that keeps on giving… (Barry Byers)

Farrah Eglich and Sergeant Tierra Mooney stay low as to not be detected while shopping for Christmas. (Barry Byers)

Farrah Eglich, Sergeant Tierra Mooney and Officer Bobby McFarland replace the traditional red and green Christmas with pinks and purples. (Barry Byers)

“Clean up on isle 12!” Officer Eric Tolliver and Officer Mike Richardson hope to have the situation under control while Chance Shaffer and Mitchell Darell terrorize isle 12. (Barry Byers)

Officer Mike Richardson is on standby as Mitchell Darell scrutinizes his purchases. (Barry Byers)

Julliette Salazar and Officer Shawn Martin have each other’s back while doing surveillance. (Barry Byers)

Arley Salazar hits the jackpot in the jewelry section. Can we get a police escort over here for all this bling? (Barry Byers)

Officer Shelbi Landon and Arley Salazar get help checking out from Wal-Mart clerk Rebecca Mentzel. (Barry Byers)

“Calling all carts!” Officer Eric Tolliver and Chance Shaffer race to the finish line. (Barry Byers)

With the shopping part of the trip concluded, everyone is ready to return to Italy where the fun is just beginning! (Barry Byers)

Officer Mike Richardson, Mitchell Darell, Chance Shaffer and Officer Eric Tolliver are armed and loaded with Christmas presents. (Barry Byers)

The Italy Police Department poses with, “Santa’s Six,” outside the Wal-Mart in Waxahachie as part of the department’s “Shop with a Cop” program. Pictured (L-R): Christopher Cryer with Chief Diron Hill, Officer Shawn Martin with Juliette Salazar, Officer Shelbi Landon with Arley Salazar, Sergeant Tierra Mooney with Farrah Eglich, Officer Mike Richardson with Mitchell Darrell and Officer Eric Tolliver with Chance Shaffer. (Barry Byers)

Mitchell Darrell gets help loading the patrol car from Officer Mike Richardson. (Barry Byers)

I fold this thingy here, put this tape stuff there and, “Whala!” Hopefully this package wrapped by Officer Eric Tolliver will not come open until Christmas. (Barry Byers)

This amazing, stair at you everywhere you go, doll, supervises Sergeant Tierra Mooney and Farrah Eglich. (Barry Byers)

Officer’s need assistance! Arley Salazar tries to help Officer Shawn Martin and Shelbi Landon fit a very large bean bag into a very small wrapper as Officer Eric Tolliver pretends not to notice. All part of the Italy Police Department’s “Shop with a Cop” experience, which is fun thrill for the students. (Barry Byers)

What it’s all about…

Officer Eric Tolliver gives Chance Shaffer all the attention he needs this Christmas with the Italy Police Department’s “Shop with a Cop” program proving to make a difference for Stafford’s students. Calling all hearts… (Barry Byers)