Annual ‘Shop with a Cop’ event brings holiday cheer to Rochester

(ABC 6 News) – Local law enforcement is spreading some holiday cheer again this year.

The 18th annual Shop with a Cop event was held at Walmart in Rochester on Saturday

Officers from the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office and the Rochester Police Department took children shopping for holiday gifts.

Officer with RPD Mitch Fitzgerald and 9-year-old Greyson teamed up this year to shop for Greyson and his family along with over one hundred other kids and officers.

"It feels good to give back and be with the little youngsters and they kind of make you feel young at heart," Officer Fitzgerald said.

Each kid received a $110 Walmart gift card to buy presents for themselves and their family members. Some officers like Fitzgerald even paid out of their own pocket when they went a little over budget.

RPD has the goal of brightening the holidays for families in need while promoting positive relationships between police officers and kids in the community.

"It just makes your heart feel warm inside and it’s just really nice to give back to the community," Fitzgerald said.

"It was just really cool to hang out with a cop," Greyson said.