logo
Login Subscribe
Google Play App Store
  • News
    • Obituaries
    • Lifestyle
    • Opinions
  • Sports
  • E-edition
  • Calendar
  • Archives
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Advertisers
    • Form Submission
    • About Us
    • News
      • Obituaries
      • Lifestyle
      • Opinions
    • Sports
    • E-edition
    • Calendar
    • Archives
    • Contact
      • Contact Us
      • Advertisers
      • Form Submission
      • About Us
Youngsters escorted on Christmas shopping spree by lawmen
news
December 20, 2023
Youngsters escorted on Christmas shopping spree by lawmen
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR,

Shop With a Cop enhances the season for many

More than 80 kids are able to have a brighter Christmas this year, thanks to the annual McIntosh County Shop With a Cop program.

The 10th annual shopping spree took place last week, Monday through Thursday, spending more than $30,000 donated by compassionate people.

Each child receives about $400 worth of toys and clothes.

“The community response to this event is great. We could not do it without everyone who donates,” said Agent Kevin Branscum with the District 25 Narcotic and Violent Crime Task Force, which is part of the District Attorney’s Offices in Okmulgee and Eufaula.

Nor could it be done without dozens of lawmen from vari-ous agencies in the area who volunteer to escort the youngsters to Walmart in Checotah and Sharpe’s Department stores in Checotah and Eufaula – capping the day with a lunch of pizza at Xtreme RV in Eufaula.

Participating agencies include the McIntosh County Sheriff ’s Department, Checotah Police Department, Eufaula Police Department, District Attorney’s Office, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, and Muscogee Creek Nation Lighthorse.

Also, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife, Oklahoma State Park Rangers, Oklahoma Office of the Inspector General, Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, Federal Bureau of Investigation, McIntosh County Emergency Management, McIntosh County Criminal Justice Center, and the McIntosh County 911 Authority.

Unfortunately, it is sometimes difficult to find officers to volunteer because many leave the county for better paying jobs in other jurisdictions.

“There is a critical need for officers in the county,” he said.

But those who are here are more than happy to participate.

With lights flashing and sirens blaring, the kids are driven by officers in a caravan to various destinations.

Shop With A Cop is a program supported by many law enforcement agencies around the country.

Though the goal is to help children in need, not everyone is happy.

A few grinches complain about the use of police vehicles and the blocking of streets while kids shop for clothing and toys.

“Not a lot, but a few,” Branscum said.

Shop With a Cop began in McIntosh County in 2014.

“There were three of us who set out with a goal of raising $1,000 to take 10 kids. We should have known better because this blew up on us and the next thing we knew we were sitting on $10,000,” Branscum said.

He said the experience shows the kids a different side of lawmen.

“I can’t tell you how many times we, unfortunately, have to interact with kids as being involved, or perhaps a witness, in a criminal case which is being investigated. You might be surprised by the number of kids who only see the police when something is wrong. You might remember as a kid that one police officer that you knew by first name …imagine knowing many from across the county.”

The annual 4th of July Fireworks show
A: Main, news
The annual 4th of July Fireworks show
July 9, 2025
Eufaula’s population was swollen over the weekend as thousands of out-of-towners joined locals to watch the annual 4th of July Fireworks show, held Friday, July 4. The display took place over the Eufa...
A: Main, news
City gets more attorneys; OKs growth plan
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
July 9, 2025
New-and-former City Manager Jacob Foos continues to make changes at city hall. Shortly after being re-hired for the position he left in September, 2021, Foos issued a statement that he was establishin...
Local resident stars in U.S. Cellular ad
A: Main, news
Local resident stars in U.S. Cellular ad
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
July 9, 2025
In all of her 58 years Louana Christie, EHS Class of ’85, never thought she would appear before a camera. Movie making was for her older sister, Selina Jayne Dornan, former Eufaula mayor and who once ...
A: Main, news
Eufaula school feels the chill from Trump’s funding freeze
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
July 9, 2025
When the Trump administration announced this week it was freezing over $70 million in education funding earmarked for Oklahoma, it surprised a lot of administrators. Eufaula School Superintendent Mont...
A: Main, news
Trump freezes over $70 million in state’s education funds
July 9, 2025
States won’t receive funds from six federal programs, including after-school care and English learner support, until further notice. NURIA MARTINEZ-KEEL OKLAHOMA VOICE OKLAHOMA CITY — The Trump admini...
Noah Alexander trades football uniform for West Point uniform
A: Main, news
Noah Alexander trades football uniform for West Point uniform
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
July 9, 2025
Noah Alexander will begin his senior year at the United States Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., this fall. It seems like only yesterday he was a stand-out running back for the Eufaula Ironheads, ...
United for Oklahoma
ePaper
google_play
app_store
Editor Picks
Bud McCombs to speak to Friends of Library
news
Bud McCombs to speak to Friends of Library
By LENORE BECHTEL 
July 9, 2025
How Eufaula happened to exist will be Friend’s speaker’s topic at the Eufaula Memorial Library at 1 p.m. Friday, July 18, When Eufaula was only an intersection, the city’s founding fathers lived in a ...
news
Annual Memorial Service planned at Honey Springs Battlefield
July 9, 2025
CHECOTAH — Honey Springs Battlefield will hold its annual memorial service on Saturday, July 19, at 10:30 a.m. to honor the 162nd anniversary of the Battle of Honey Springs near Checotah. The service ...
Calls needed to protect National Weather Service operations
commentary
Calls needed to protect National Weather Service operations
By JOE DORMAN OICA CEO 
July 9, 2025
OKLAHOMA CITY – We at the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) extend our deepest condolences to families tragically impacted by the recent flooding in Texas. Flooding along the Guadalupe Rive...
news
Jeff Starling launches campaign for attorney general
July 9, 2025
TULSA ––Jeff Starling, Oklahoma’s Secretary of Energy and Environment, has officially announced his candidacy for Attorney General of Oklahoma. Starling is a conservative, attorney, businessman, and d...
Warriors of God, ready yourselves
commentary
Warriors of God, ready yourselves
July 9, 2025
Of my 56 years of being in this world, 50 of those years I have been filled with the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. I was only six years old when I attended my first Tiger Mount...
Facebook

THE EUFAULA INDIAN JOURNAL
100 N. 2nd Street
Eufaula, OK 74432

(918) 689-2191

This site complies with ADA requirements

© 2023 THE EUFAULA INDIAN JOURNAL

  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility Policy