Shop with a Cop doubles the joy across Wasatch Back

The annual Shop with a Cop event in Heber. Photo: Wasatch County Sheriff’s Office // Facebook

PARK CITY, Utah —Police sirens echoed across the Wasatch Back early Saturday morning – not for emergencies, but for shopping sprees, as both Park City and Heber law enforcement agencies kicked off their annual Shop with a Cop events.

In Park City, the Summit County event saw officers from multiple agencies escort children along State Route 224 on Saturday morning. The program, now in its second decade, served over 140 children, with 72 participating in person, according to Lt. Jay Randall of the Park City Police Department.

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The Summit County celebration began with breakfast at the Double Tree by Hilton before a police convoy escorted children to Walmart. The Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 3 hosted the event with funding from Berkshire Hathaway, whose employees provided wrapping services at the store.

The Wasatch County Sheriff's Shop with a Cop event.

Meanwhile, in neighboring Wasatch County, local law enforcement conducted their own Shop with a Cop program, gathering at the Hub Cafe in Heber City at 6:30 a.m. Following breakfast, Wasatch County Sheriff’s deputies and other local first responders transported children to their local Walmart for holiday shopping and visits with Santa Claus.

Both events relied heavily on community support, with local businesses and sponsors in each county providing funding to help children purchase Christmas gifts for their immediate families.

“Our Officers are members of the FOP and donate their time for the event in anticipation of having a positive impact on those who can use an extra hand or are less served this holiday season,” Randall said. Between 60 and 75 officers participated from various agencies, including Park City Police Department, Summit County Sheriff’s Office, Utah Highway Patrol, Department of Natural Resources, and Division of Wildlife Resources.

These Shop with a Cop programs are part of a broader initiative by Walmart, which began hosting holiday shopping events December 4 at stores across Utah to support local children and veterans in need during the holiday season.