Shopping with the Christmas Cops

iSUPPORT

Local Law Enforcement Helping Local Families

Shopping with the Christmas Cops

by Cassie Johnson

The 34th annual Christmas Cops, formerly known as Shop With a Cop, is scheduled to spread Christmas cheer for several local families on Saturday, December 19.

The Paducah Area Christmas Cops, Inc. includes the Paducah Police Department, McCracken County Sheriff’s Department, Kentucky State Police, and other local law enforcement. These officers volunteer to treat families to an unforgettable experience.

Christmas Cops started in 1986 by the Jackson Purchase Lodge #15 Fraternal Order of Police. Two families were given assistance and the program has grown consistently each year. In 2019, the event sponsored 20 local families and a total of 45-50 kids. Participating families and law enforcement meet at 8am sharp at the Paducah Police Department. Each family is assigned their own personal officer. From there, the Paducah Area Transit (PATS) and CSI, Inc. vehicles will transport families to Wal-Mart where the real fun begins.

Making Christmas Bright

“Each child, even if there is more than one per household, is given the same amount of money to pick out their own Christmas presents,” explained Steve Balentine, treasurer of Christmas Cops. “If there are siblings in a household, all siblings are included.”

Toys, bikes, shoes, games and other items are carefully chosen by each child. Once shopping is done, the PATS and CSI, Inc. vehicles transport the families and merchandise to Walker Hall in downtown Paducah for lunch. With full bellies, there is one more gift to give. Once more, everyone loads the vehicles to head to Kroger where they are given $200 to purchase groceries.

“This is a very special time for both the officer and family. They basically spend an entire day becoming friends and having fun,” Balentine said. “The Christmas Cops application process is unique and each child is chosen on a case-by-case basis. Quite often, families make just enough income to be ineligible for other assistance programs. They are single or married parents raising children while working and going to college, or they could be grandparents raising grandkids while on a very fixed income. Families under bad circumstances with good intentions are who we look for.”

A Positive Community Impact

Gretchen Morgan with the Paducah Police Department has volunteered in Christmas Cops for the last 15 years. “I look forward to this event every year,” she told me. “From the initial contact of meeting the family to seeing their faces on the day of the event. It’s something you never forget. I still run into families who have participated and the kids who are now adults still talk about how fun it was!”

In a time with so much controversy surrounding law enforcement, it’s important that positive organizations such as this one receives our support. Christmas Cops is funded by local businesses and individual sponsors. Donations are always accepted and can be mailed to

Paducah Police Department ATT: Christmas Cops 1400 Broadway Street Paducah KY 42001

For questions or to ask how you can help, contact Steve Balentine at 502.564.0196 or by email at steve.balentine@ky.gov. You can also reach Gretchen Mueller at gmorgan@paducahky.gov.