LONDON, KY - Laurel County Sheriff John Root and London City Police Chief Chuck Johnson are reporting that: over 40 sheriff’s deputies and city police officers all had the privilege to help with Laurel County's "Shop with a Cop" program on Saturday morning December 9th, 2023 at 8:00 AM at Walmart in London. The Laurel County Sheriff’s Office and London City Police hosted the event.
This year's event reached more than 200 Laurel County children and is an annual event funded solely by donations from area businesses, churches, groups, and individuals. This event originated as the Cumberland Valley Fraternal Order of Police Lodge # 28.
Presently the program is the Cumberland Valley Fraternal Order of Police Shop with a Cop and is in its 28th year providing a Christmas for children from all over Laurel County. The children spend $150 per child with $120 of it being spent on clothing and $30 on toys. The early founding fathers included Don and Virginia Wattenbarger and Laurel County Sheriff's Captain Chris Edwards.
Assisting at Saturday's event was: Laurel Sheriff’s Capt. Chris Edwards (current president of the Laurel County “Shop with a Cop” board), Capt. Edwards is also head coach of the North Laurel Jaguar Lady Softball Team, and his Lady Jags assisted along with assistant coach Ben Sams, Jamie Harrison -Secretary/Treasurer of “Laurel’s Shop with a Cop”, and he is also a staff member of Community Trust Bank, Laurel County School’s and East Bernstadt School Family Resource Centers, Community Trust Bank, One Main Financial, Walmart of London, Laurel Sheriff’s Office, London City Police, Laurel County Court Clerk’s Office, London Rotary Club, Little Caesar’s Pizza and numerous other volunteers.
Laurel’s Shop with a Cop Board includes: Chris Edwards, Kenny Jones, Jamie Harrison, Virginia Wattenbarger, Randy Medlock, Greg Reams, Hillary Morris, Koula Oakley, Stacy Young, and Gilbert Acciardo.
A very special recognition to the now deceased Laurel County Sheriff's Deputy Don Wattenbarger for his lifelong commitment and support of Laurel County's "Shop with a Cop"!!
Thanks to Sentinel-Echo Newspaper for covering the event!
Laurel County Sheriff John Root, and London Police Chief Chuck Johnson: “Thanks again to everyone for making this such a successful and blessed event today!!”
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**See more pictures on our Facebook post HERE
