One young girl made a beeline for the bicycles, an anxious boy headed for the electronics section and a dozen or so other children perused each and every aisle of toys at the Covington Walmart Wednesday.

Alongside each eager child was an elated member of the Covington Police Department (CPD), and watching on were inquisitive and delighted customers during the annual Shop with a Cop event.

The event, paid for by the CPD’s Police Who Care Fund, takes 20-30 Covington area foster children to Walmart annually to shop for themselves and family members.

This year almost 30 children got to go Christmas shopping for items such as tablets, remote control cars, board games, dolls and more. Upon entering the Walmart on Industrial Blvd. each child met the officer they would go shopping with and met with, and had their picture taken with, Santa Claus.

“That’s one thing we added this year,” said Officer Chris Smith, who chaired this year’s Shop with a Cop, and wanted to thank Lamar Sorrolls. “A lot of kids never had their picture made with Santa, and Walmart is developing all the pictures for us.”

From there the child and officer grabbed a shopping cart and went to whichever department of the store they wanted. Most headed straight for the crowded toy aisles.

Cheyeanna, walking with Officer Allan Seabaran and CPD Explorers Julianna Brooks and Racheal Phillips, requested a Thundertruck.

As Cheyeanna selected her gift, Capt. Ken Malcom walked young Dillon McWilliams past the toy department and asked if he wanted a four-foot tall Darth Vader. McWilliams wasn’t in the mood for the dark side Wednesday, and, it seems neither were many of the customers watching the children and officers meander through the store.

“I’m proud of you all,” one customer said to Capt. Malcom. “Thank you.”

The officers, through fundraising efforts, including the annual Fuzz Run, were able to provide each child with a $100 Walmart gift card for them to fulfill their wishes. Some of the children even made lists beforehand, knowing exactly what they wanted.

For McWilliams his list was simple: that tablet to play his racing games on.

After Malcom found one that fit his $100 budget, he was eager to get it for him and get McWilliams off to the races.

“It’s a reward for us to spend time with these kids, and get to watch them with a big smile on their face,” Smith said. “I think we get as much joy out of it as they do, if not more.”