LONDON, KY - Laurel County Sheriff John Root is reporting that: Over 60 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 7th, 2024 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 225 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 29th 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 today'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, Laurel County Sheriff John Root and the Laurel County Sheriff's Office, London Police Chief Jerry Hollon and the London City Police, US Forest Service law enforcement, One Main Financial, Handy Family of Hotels , London Rotary Club, London – Laurel County Tourist Commission, Community Trust Bank, North Laurel High School girls softball team, South Laurel High School boys basketball team and numerous other volunteers. Special Thanks to our media friends who covered the event: Madison Nantz with The Sentinel Echo Newspaper and WLEX TV.
Laurel’s Shop with a Cop Board includes: Chris Edwards, Kenny Jones, Jamie Harrison, Virginia Wattenbarger, Hobie Daugherty, 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"!!
Laurel County Sheriff John Root: “Thanks again to everyone for making this such a successful and blessed event today!!”
