KENOSHA, Wis. — What began in 1992 as a simple effort to bring joy to children who could use a brighter Christmas has now become a deeply rooted Kenosha County tradition. On Saturday morning at Meijer in Kenosha, the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office completed its 34th Annual Shop With A Cop, pairing deputies with 36 local children for a morning of laughter, excitement, and generosity — capped off with a surprise announcement that left the kids cheering. The Sheriff, the Chief Deputy, and command staff were also in attendance supporting the event.

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The program is entirely funded by the Kenosha County Deputy Sheriffs’ Association, with additional support from community partners like Meijer, Culver’s, and McDonald’s. Detective Tim Hackbarth, who has proudly run the event for the past 17 years and may have one year left before retirement, kicked off the event with humor, kindness, and warmth. He told parents they couldn’t accompany the kids because many of them wanted to shop for their own families, and he praised the children for being selected not just at random, but because they are good students, good friends, and good kids.

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Then came what he jokingly called the “bad news.”

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Hackbarth told the children that their certificates said they were going to receive $100 to spend at Meijer — but unfortunately, he said, that wasn’t going to be possible this year. He paused, let the suspense build, and then delivered the reveal: each child was actually getting $250 to spend. The children erupted in cheers, filling the store with excitement and energy.

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As always, Chief Deputy Justin Miller was present and actively engaging with families and kids. However, this year he showed up with something new — a mustache. When asked by KCE about the new look, he smiled and said, “I lost a bet… I mean… no comment.”

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Over the years, Shop With A Cop has grown not just in size, but in meaning. Deputies, sergeants, lieutenants, captains, the Sheriff, and the chief deputy fanned out across the store with the kids, helping pick out gifts not only for themselves, but in many cases for parents, siblings, and family members. Every family also received a $100 Meijer gift card, courtesy of Meijer, along with Culver’s and McDonald’s gift cards donated by the restaurants.

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Moments of kindness happen every year at this event, but one especially touching moment stood out this morning. Deputy Ali’s assigned child, 11-year-old Kevin, had so much fun shopping that he went over his spending limit. The deputy was keeping track, but he didn’t mind that Kevin went a little over and he simply took care of the extra items himself — a simple gesture that perfectly reflects the heart of this program.

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For more than three decades, Shop With A Cop has meant more than just shopping. It has helped build trust between law enforcement and the community, created unforgettable childhood memories, and ensured dozens of families have a brighter holiday season each year. It is also a reminder that behind the badge are real people with big hearts who care deeply about the community they serve.

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Parents who prefer that their children’s photos not appear publicly may email, and they will be removed.

“Merry Christmas from the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office, and heartfelt thanks to Meijer, Culver’s, McDonald’s, the Kenosha County Deputy Sheriffs’ Association, and all the generous deputies and supporters who made this year’s event possible,” said Detective Tim “Smooth” Hackbarth.