Putnam County FOP completes 20th Shop-With-a-Cop outing

Greencastle Officer Darrel Bunten (above) helps a youngster try on a new pair of shoes at Walmart as her mother checks the fit during the annual Putnam County Fraternal Order of Police Shop-With-a-Cop outing.

Courtesy photo

The Putnam County Fraternal Order of Police recently conducted its 20th consecutive Shop-With-a-Cop program in Greencastle.

More than 50 local children were invited to participate in this year’s back-to-school shopping event.

Students from all four Putnam County school districts were summoned by project coordinator Tara Baugh with recommendations from each of the school’s counselors.

Meanwhile, fellow GPD Officer Luke Brown assists another youngster in rounding up her school supplies during the 20th annual event.

Courtesy photo

Cops, kids and carts full of school supplies and clothes lined the aisles at the Greencastle Walmart store for a couple of hours during the action and participants’ interaction.

Twenty-two FOP members from the Greencastle Police Department, Indiana Excise Police, Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, Bainbridge Police, Danville Police and Spencer Police took part in the shopping effort.

FOP President Ed Wilson, a Greencastle City Police officer, expressed his gratitude to all who support the Shop-With-a-Cop program.

“This is our keystone event every year,” Sgt. Wilson reminded, “and without the community’s support each summer, this event would never happen, and we know it.”

FOP funds not spent on the Shop-With-a-Cop effort are used for the group’s next community project, the annual Santa Drop Christmas presents undertaking in December.