More than 200 children were able to shop for toys during the Durant Police Reserves annual Shop with a Cop at Walmart Dec. 23.
John Wyatt, captain of the police reserves, said this is the 20th year for the program and that many volunteers help, including officers from different agencies.
“It’s a great event and the community does a great job of supporting us,” Wyatt said. “Our officers love the program. They see the citizens sometimes in the worst of times and this is one of the better times where they get to help.”
Wyatt credited businesses and individuals in the community for helping the program.
“They reach out and donate a lot to help this program succeed,” Wyatt said.
According to Wyatt, Shop with a Cop is still raising funds and they raised more than $20,000 during 2025.
“Everybody’s been working hard trying to fund raise for us and find families that we can shop with,” Wyatt said.
Wyatt said that Durant Police public information officer Sgt. Nick Spencer was doing a great job helping with the program. He also said the program was bigger this time.
“It’s constantly growing,” Wyatt said. “We’ve got really good name recognition. We’re shopping right here in town with families from here. So, everybody’s excited to be a part of the program.”
Spencer said he has been fortunate to be a part of Shop with the Cop for the last 15 years that he has been with the department.
“But even more special, it’s the 20th year of this, and it keeps growing every year,” Spencer said. “We’re bigger than last year and we hope that we continue to raise the bar and meet that next year and be bigger then.”
Durant Police also gave away hams before Christmas and had Santa Stops where drivers were given food and toys instead of tickets.
“Those are all great organizations, and we hope to continue that throughout the new year and going into the springtime and summer,” Spencer said. “The fall, obviously has always been the busiest time of the year, so we look forward to continue to grow and get bigger and better as the year progresses and the years go on.”
Durant Deputy Police Chief Joe Clark said the police reserves work hard all year long to raise money for the program.
“It’s just a great honor to be able to come out here and go shopping with these families and seeing the smiles, the happiness that it brings to these families,” Clark said.
“We’re trying to get out there and be involved with the community. We want to build a bond with our community to build trust, build a relationship to where they feel comfortable to come to us whenever they’re in need.”
Bryan County Sheriff Joey Tucker was among those helping that morning.
“We’re helping out with Shop with a Cop with City of Durant, Durant Police Department,” Tucker said. “Their reserve program put on a great fundraiser and they’ve been raising money all year long to get this event started up. You can see all of the hard work paying off today. All of the smiles on these kids’ faces. It’s a really great program and I’m glad to be a part of it and I’m glad to be invited and help out with these guys.”
Tucker said his deputies would be coming to help as they were able.
Nichelle Nelson brought her daughters Sara, 6, and Micah, 5, to shop with the police. The children lost their father in a motorcycle accident on Dec. 13.
“Today’s their daddy’s funeral and so this is going to be a really good distraction for them,” Nelson said, adding that in addition to obtaining toys, they would be burning some energy.
“They’re going to be really excited,” Nelson said.
Asked how they are doing after the passing of their father, Nelson said, “They go through their patches. Back and forth, it really hits them at night when it’s bedtime. Dad’s cuddles aren’t there.”
In a social media post after Shop with a Cop, Nelson said, “Micha knew how to spend that money. Sara was a little more hesitant. Micha wanted everything and Sara had to add a little more thought. They had us running wild. Poor officer didn’t know who to follow.”
