CASPER, WY — The beloved Shop with a Cop program is back for the 2026 holiday season, giving Natrona County families in need a chance to shop for gifts alongside local police officers.
How the program works
Children aged 3 to 12 can sign up to shop with an officer at Walmart or Sam’s Club on December 12 or 13. Applications are accepted through the Natrona County Sheriff’s Office website until November 13, and participants will be notified starting December 1.
Eligibility and selection
To qualify, a child must live in Natrona County, be able to shop independently and be present on the designated shopping day. A committee reviews applications and selects participants based on the information provided.
Community impact
Officer Terry Good of the Mills Police Department, who has coordinated the event for eight years, says the program served over 300 children last year with 20‑30 officers taking part. “It’s a really good program,” Good said. “It’s a way for us to give back to the community and have positive interactions with kids who might not otherwise see police regularly.”
Good adds that the experience builds lasting relationships. “I’ve talked to people years down the road who did Shop with a Cop and it’s something they remember,” he noted.
Support and sponsors
The initiative began more than a decade ago through a partnership with local Walmart and Sam’s Club stores, which provide the shopping space and staff. Additional supporters include Wyoming First Lady Jennie Gordon and the Wyoming Hunger Initiative, as well as numerous community groups, businesses and individuals who contribute funds or resources.
Rebekah Ladd, the Casper Police Department’s public information officer, says the generosity reflects a special quality of Natrona County: “People want to take care of local children and they value opportunities that build positive relationships between those children and the law‑enforcement officers who serve them.”
Heart‑warming moments
One memorable story involves a young boy who chose to buy a present for his mother instead of himself, saying, “Mom always gets us stuff and she never gets herself anything, so I’d like to get her something.” Such moments, Good says, tug at the heart strings and underscore the program’s focus on family and community.
Overall, Shop with a Cop aims to strengthen public safety by fostering trust between officers and the families they protect, reinforcing the belief that every child deserves positive experiences and caring adults in their lives.
Original reporting: Oil City News (Casper WY) — read the source article.
