On Saturday, December 7, 2019, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., the Whiteside County Sheriff’s Office held its first, annual Shop with a Sheriff experience, initiated by Sheriff John Booker. He had approached Montmorency School District 145, in Rock Falls, IL. Deputy Michael Leighton then spearheaded event details with the School District.
Ten students were selected by school officials to shop at Walmart in Sterling, IL; one would be unable to attend. Complimentary gifts were not only for themselves but for family members living in their households as well. Each student was paired with a Deputy from the Sheriff’s Office who helped them pick perfect presents.
Sheriff Booker, 13 Deputies, and two Records Department staff assisted the youth, five of whom are shown seated or kneeling beside Kim Cady, Records Department, in the center of the photograph. To their right are a girl (arms crossed), a boy in a colorful cap, and two young men on both sides of Records Department staffer Stephanie Houzenga. Kneeling at left are daughters of Officer Kris Schmidt. Jaicee, left, and Gracyn also helped kids shop and wrap toys and gifts.
Sheriff’s Office personnel, left-to-right, are David Molina; Michelle Binson; Brennan Coward; Schmidt; Jim Melton; Derek Hamstra; Sean Couetts; Jorge Hernandez; Marcus Gaffney; Chief Deputy Seth Janssen; George Depuy; Sheriff Booker; Leighton. Deputy Donna Scanlan is not shown.
Children gathered at the school and were picked up at 9:00. They were transported to Walmart, 4115 E. Lincolnway, where store staff had prepared a complimentary breakfast. Eighteen Deputy, Officer, and staff elves plus the Schmidt sisters guided the children with their shopping and wrapping. The Department paid for purchases through monies earmarked for “public outreach and programs.”
Officers Jorge Hernandez and Sean Couetts and Sheriff Booker helped one of the girls.
Walmart supplied wrapping paper, tape, and name tags. Happy boys and girls left the store with all their items ready for Christmas.
The next stop was a donated lunch by Pizza Ranch, 3100 E. Lincolnway. Children were returned to the school at 1:00.
Sheriff Booker stated, “We would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to the employees of Walmart and Pizza Ranch in Sterling. Your efforts helped make this day a special one for the children in our community!” He intends for Shop with a Sheriff to be a yearly holiday event.
Below, Officer George Depuy hoisted a happy shopper onto his shoulder.
