Spalding County's 'Sheriff Santa' honors fallen deputy with annual event
Shop with a cop event honors fallen deputy
This year’s shop with a cop event in Spalding County held a special meaning for the sheriff’s office. It was a just a few days after last year’s event that a deputy was shot and killed in the line of duty.
SPALDING COUNTY, Ga. - This year’s shop with a cop event in Spalding County held a special meaning for the county’s sheriff’s office. It was a just a few days after last year’s event that a deputy was shot and killed in the line of duty.
They call it Santa Sheriff, and it’s an annual event in which children from the community pair up and shop with a Spalding County deputy.
"I’m going to get my sister a necklace," said 7-year-old Mylah Lyons. True to her word, she marched across the store and picked out a necklace for her sister before she ever put a gift for herself in the shopping cart.
They said that it is not unusual for the children to use the money meant for them to shop for their families and even buy food for their table.
"Sometimes it can be a little challenging to get gifts for all the kids. So, when they can come and shop with a cop and pick what they want," her grandmother said.
Sheriff Darrell Dix, who said they have shopped with about 300 children, said this is the eighth year for the Santa Sheriff. This year is different, and the loss is profound. It was just a few days after last year’s event that Sgt. Marc McIntyre was shot to death in the line of duty. This Christmas event would be his last with colleagues.
The sheriff’s office works with businesses and community groups to raise money for the program. They served 31 families this year. Each child got $300 to spend. Each child got $300 to spend, enough to load up baskets, buy a goal to shoot baskets, or even purchase their very first bike.
The Source: This article is based on original reporting by FOX 5's Doug Evans.