By Tracie Sullivan, For Iron County Today
The streets of Cedar City lit up with red and blue Saturday morning as a convoy of police cars, fire trucks, and rescue vehicles drove down Main Street, their sirens blaring not in emergency but celebration.
Inside the cars, wide-eyed children waved from the windows, their smiles reflecting the warmth of a community coming together on their behalf. Above them, the sky blushed with brilliant hues of orange and pink as the sun rose over the town — a backdrop fitting for the joy about to unfold.
This was Shop with a Cop, Iron County’s cherished holiday tradition where law enforcement, first responders, and volunteers team up to give children in need an unforgettable Christmas.
The morning began early, with more than 100 kids gathering at Walmart at 6:30 a.m., excitement buzzing in the frosty air. They were then whisked away to Canyon High School for breakfast, escorted in a lively parade of flashing lights and sirens that filled the town with cheer.
After breakfast, they returned to Walmart, where Santa himself made a grand entrance, landing in a helicopter to the delight of his young audience.
For many of these children, it was a morning of firsts — a parade in their honor, a visit with Santa, and the chance to shop for Christmas gifts with $200 each.
A Record-Breaking Year
This year’s event, the largest in Iron County’s history, brought together 128 children and more than 100 volunteers, first responders, and local organizations.
“It takes a community to make this happen,” Cedar City Police Sgt. Justin Ludlow said. “Every donation, every volunteer hour, every person involved plays a role in creating this experience for the kids.”
Months of planning and coordination made it possible, uniting efforts from law enforcement agencies, businesses, private donations facilitated by Iron County Realtor Ben Batty, and community initiatives like the Jubilee of Trees.
“We’re a family here in Iron County,” Batty added. “When we see kids in need, we step up. It’s just what we do.”
The $200 gift cards given to each child marked a record-breaking milestone for the program, which began decades ago with just $50 per child. Over the years, contributions have grown, with 2024 seeing unprecedented support.
The Elks Lodge also provided $25 vouchers for each child to purchase a new pair of shoes, and the Iron County Attorney’s Office directed court-ordered restitution funds to the cause, adding thousands to the total. Together, these contributions ensured every child could have a holiday to remember.
“This year felt different,” Ludlow said. “The community support was overwhelming. We had more first responders than ever — even more than kids. That’s a testament to how much this event means to everyone involved.”
Stories of Hope
Among the children shopping Saturday was Javon, an 11-year-old boy navigating the aisles with Iron County Attorney Chad Dotson. Javon and his siblings, now living with their grandmother after losing both parents, carried the weight of loss into their young lives.
Despite his own pain, Javon focused on picking out gifts for his family — a toy for his sister, a gift for his grandmother. As he placed a small toy into the cart for his sister and selected a gift for his grandmother, Dotson encouraged him to choose something for himself. Hesitant at first, Javon eventually picked out a small item.
“These kids inspire us,” Dotson said. “They’ve been through so much, yet they’re still thinking of others. It’s humbling and heartwarming all at once.”
Another standout moment came when organizers learned of a volunteer who had recently lost her job but still showed up to give her time to the community. Quietly helping without mentioning her struggles, she was later surprised with enough gift cards to ensure her own family could celebrate Christmas too.
“This event is about more than gifts,” Ludlow said. “It’s about lifting people up and giving them hope.”
The Spirit of Cedar City
Behind the scenes, dozens of volunteers worked tirelessly to wrap gifts, organize supplies, and ensure every child’s experience was seamless. Jerry Womack, a retired Cedar City police officer, and his wife Tracy were among those helping.
Behind the scenes, volunteers like retired Cedar City police officer Jerry Womack and his wife Tracy worked tirelessly, wrapping gifts and organizing supplies to make the day special.
“It doesn’t matter what kind of year you’ve had,” Womack said. “When you see the smiles on those kids’ faces, it puts everything into perspective.”
Womack, who has witnessed the program grow from $50 per child in its early days to $200 today, said the event captures the essence of Cedar City.
“When someone is in need, this community always steps up,” he said.
A Morning to Remember
As the sun rose higher in the sky, lighting up the snow-dusted mountains surrounding Cedar City, the children pushed carts overflowing with gifts — dolls and gaming accessories, clothes and art supplies. And for some, even food.
Officers walked beside them, sharing laughs and high-fives, knowing they had helped create memories these kids would cherish for years to come.
“This is the heart of Christmas,” Dotson said. “It’s about showing these kids that they matter, that they’re loved, and that they’re not alone.”
Caption: Cedar City Police Lt. Clint Pollock shops shows his excitement at the Shop with a Cop event Saturday. Photo courtesy of Iron County Sheriff’s Sgt. Shawn Peterson