Some lucky children knocked their Christmas shopping out in one hour at the North Main Street Walmart on Friday, accompanied by local police officers and sheriff’s deputies.

The annual “Shop with a Cop” paired 15 less fortunate children with the law enforcement officers to go Christmas shopping for their family members and themselves.

Each child was given a $100 budget, courtesy of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 41 and the businesses and individuals that have donated to the lodge throughout the course of the year, Suffolk Police Sgt. Herman Kee said.

“We do this every year to build a relationship with the kids, to let them know the police are not just the bad guy,” Kee said.

In addition to helping the shoppers choose gifts and stick to their budget, the officers imparted life lessons along the way.

“Friends come and go, but you’ve only got one momma,” Deputy Eddie Harville told his charge, Deandre Taylor. Deandre said he wants to be an engineer when he grows up.

Nathan Davis Jr. especially connected with his officer helper. Nathan said he wants to be a state trooper when he’s older.

In addition to gifts for himself, he chose a Barbie doll set for his sister.

“He always thinks about his sister,” said his mother, Dahna Turner. “He’s not greedy.”

Michael Fields chose just one item with his money — a new television for his room.

“Hopefully I’m going to play my games, which I haven’t been able to play in a while,” he said.

Some of the kids also rounded off their budget with clothes and other necessities in addition to gifts.

Suffolk Police Detective Carlos Gonzalez said the event is “a good way to give back to the community and kids.”

“I’m glad we can do things like this,” he added.

Kee said many of the FOP members return year after year to help the kids shop.

“They enjoy doing it,” he said.

The large contingent of law enforcement officers in the store always attracts a lot of attention during the event. Kee said many donations for the Shop with a Cop program have come from shoppers who happen to see them.

One girl even saved up change in a piggy bank for a year and donated it to the lodge.

Kee said anyone who wants to donate can call him at 514-7969.