You don't often think of police officers spreading holiday cheer, but that's what many did across Northeast Wisconsin Saturday during the annual "Shop with a Cop" event.
At the De Pere Shopko, a young girl named Marisol did her Christmas shopping with the help of a new friend, Chief Deputy Todd Delain of the Brown County Sheriff's Office.
"This is just awesome," said Chief Deputy Delain.
The two were on the hunt for presents for Marisol's family, as she was one of 150 kids in the area taking part in the 22nd annual "Shop with a Cop" at Shopko.
"This is a tradition for us to bring in the holidays," said Jedd Bradley, Community Resource Officer with the De Pere Police Department.
De Pere officers, along with officers from several other agencies, paired up with elementary school kids to make the holidays a little brighter. Each child has a budget with money donated from sponsors to shop for themselves and their families.
However, the event also helps children see cops in a new light.
"It's a great way that the officers and volunteers can get on a different level with the kids and they don't look at us as just police officers all the time," said Officer Bradley. "The officers are more approachable to the kids."
"The officers made my day," said Marisol.
In addition to De Pere Police and the Brown County Sheriff's Department, seven other agencies took part in the day: Green Bay Police, Ashwaubenon Public Safety, Oneida Police, Hobart/Lawrence Police, Pulaski Police, Seymour Police, and Wrightstown Police.
