By Kimberly Gasuras

When 10-year-old Joey Petty and his 11-year-old brother, Shawn, went on a shopping trip with their aunt and cousin, they had no idea what was in store for them.

Several Galion Police Officers met the brothers at the front area of Walmart in Bucyrus.

“I wasn’t expecting this,” Joey said, as patrolman Tim Johnson explained that the boys, and their 16-year-old cousin Hannah Shockley, would get to “Shop with a Cop.”

The boys are in the custody and care of their aunt, Stacy Shockley.

“I have three kids of my own and I am raising my two nephews and their two brothers, so four of my nephews live with me,” Stacy said.

Stacy’s daughter and two grandchildren also live in her home, although just for a few more months.

“Her husband is deployed right now,” Stacy said. “Money is tight, and this will help us so much. I am very grateful.”

Johnson said the Galion Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) adopted a total of eight kids and provided each of them with a $150 Walmart gift card on Wednesday to purchase items of their choice.

“This is our first year and we have had such as great response,” Officer Steve Knapp said. “We are hoping to expand and include more children next year.”

The department held a Fill the Cruiser event recently in Galion and received monetary donations to help fund the Christmas program for Galion area children.

Ten-year-old Marky Harmon had one word to describe how he felt about shopping with the cops.

“Cool,” Marky said with a big smile on his face.

The elder Mark Harmon said he is grateful for the help from the officers this Christmas.

“I retired from the Post Office after 20 years to stay home and take care of my wife because she has many health problems and is sometime bed-ridden. I recently began working as a part-time aide at Galion City Schools and that helps but money is still a concern,” Mark Harmon said.

His wife, Sandy, was able to make the trip to Walmart.

“I cried when the officers told me about this. It is absolutely an amazing blessing,” Sandy said as her eyes welled up with tears.