JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Protect and serve, the oath of an officer of the law.

On Wednesday, local police officers, sheriff’s officials, and even North Dakota Highway Patrol troopers tapped into the service portion of their creed.

Cops and Kids has been held for numerous years, teaming up area families and kids with an officer or trooper to shop for the holidays. Jamestown Police Sgt. Andrew Staska says they fund the program through the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #4.

While they’d love to help all who apply or are recommended for Cops and Kids, Sgt. Staska says the hardest part is selecting a few from their list.

Kids are each assigned to an officer and then given a specific amount to spend on whatever they desire. Some even choose necessities such as clothes or giving toys to others.

Sgt. Staska says the reaction and smiles from the kids as they assist them with the shopping makes the event worth it every year.

Members of the Jamestown Police Department, Stutsman County Sheriff’s Office, North Dakota Highway Patrol, Fraternal Order of Police, James River Correctional Center, and Stutsman County Correctional Center all assisted during the shopping on Wednesday, December 22nd.

More than 20 kids participated in the program this year.