Pine Bluff Police Sergeant Christopher Wieland helps a child high-five McGruff the Crime Dog at the Pine Bluff Fraternal Order of Police's Fourth Annual Shop with a Cop event, held Friday Dec. 12, 2025, at the Pine Bluff Walmart Supercenter.

PINE BLUFF, Ark. - Blue lights and ear-to-ear smiles filled the parking lot of the Walmart Supercenter on the evening of Friday, Dec. 12, as many area kids were given a brighter Christmas thanks to the Pine Bluff Fraternal Order of Police's Fourth Annual Shop with a Cop event.

FOP Lodge No. 2, under the leadership of PBPD Sergeant Shanee Jackson, FOP president, and PBPD Lieutenant DeShawn Bennett, FOP vice president, hosted and sponsored the event, which served 24 grade-school children ages 5 to 8 from across our community.

Children were selected by school principals and counselors from:

• MeMe's Learning Academy - four children
• James Matthews Elementary - five children
• Broadmoor Elementary - five children
• Coleman Elementary - five children
• Friendship Aspire Academy - five children

This event would not have been possible without the incredible support of our community partners and members of the Pine Bluff Police Department who believe in investing in our youth.

We proudly thank our sponsors:

• Walmart Supercenter
• Saracen Casino Resort
• Pine Bluff Police Department Service Division, Day-Shift, Swing-Shift and Graveyard-Shift Patrol Division
• Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. - Delta Omega Omega Chapter
• Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. - Gamma Sigma Chapter
• Watson Chapel Baptist Church
• Domino's Pizza
• Bonnie Butler, Pine Bluff Police Office Manager
• Stephanie and Todd Howard
• Constable DeShawn Bennett and Family AnSheka and Asia Bennett

Shop with a Cop is more than a single day - it's about building trust, creating lasting memories and showing our children that they are seen, valued and supported.

"On behalf of the Pine Bluff Fraternal Order of Police (Lodge No. 2), thank you for standing with us, believing in our mission and helping us make a difference - one child, one smile and one moment at a time," Bennett said.

After the Shop With A Cop event ended Friday night, the children and their families returned to the Detective Kevin Collins Training Center for a pizza party and bicycle giveaway.

And one lucky princess, 5-year-old, Niylah Jacobs, won a massive power ride-on toy in the raffle sponsored by Constable DeShawn Bennett and family.

"Seeing the children's faces light up with Christmas cheer made everyone's night," PBPD Public Information Specialist John Worthen said. "This is what it's all about. We are so appreciative to all of our officers and volunteers who helped with this event."

 Pine Bluff Police Officer Avery Plummer takes time out from shopping to let these two young men pose with Santa at the Pine Bluff Fraternal Order of Police's Fourth Annual Shop with a Cop event, held Friday Dec. 12, 2025, at the Pine Bluff Walmart Supercenter.

In addition to a shopping spree at the Walmart Supercenter, children who took part in the Pine Bluff Fraternal Order of Police's Fourth Annual Shop with a Cop event, held Friday Dec. 12, 2025, were also awarded brand new bicycles.