Shop with a Cop 2022, helping 175+ kids smile more at Christmas

JOPLIN, Mo. — Despite the early Saturday morning, everyone was all smiles on December 10, 2022, more than 175 kids were able to ‘Shop with a Cop’ at Wal-Mart #59, 1501 S Rangeline, in Joplin.

  • CAPT DAVIS: Today is our Annual ‘Shop with a Cop’ where officers with the Joplin Police and Seneca Police are able to pair up with kids who may not have a great Christmas ahead of them, but we take them Christmas shopping today. It’s a great program we look forward to it each and every year.
  • Q: How many kids are here this morning?
  • CAPT DAVIS: This year we have about 180 kids between Joplin Police and Seneca Police, we both pair up. So kids are from Joplin Schools and Seneca Schools today.
  • Q: We are doing the math in our head? Each child gets $100 to spend on themselves and maybe someone special in their life. Wow! Who pays for all this?
  • CAPT DAVIS: This would not be possible without the generous donations from individuals, businesses, organizations, in and around the Joplin area. We are so thankful that each and every year they continue to donate to help make this possible.
  • Q: How is this event still special to you personally year after year?
  • CAPT DAVIS: This program is really special, when you get paired with a kid and they want to shop for people other than themselves. It really touches your heart. They maybe want to buy a present for mom, dad, brother, sister. It shows the true meaning what this is all about… helping others.

Fraternal Order of Police SWMo Lodge #27 members come together to help organize the event. Lodge members also donate money and time every year. Today we spotted Joplin Police Explorers, Joplin Police Sentinels, MSSU Criminal Justice students, Diamond Police, however dozens of others involved who were not able to attend in person.

Kids are mostly nominated by school resource officers and guidance counselors. They are each allotted a specific amount of money to shop. On a different day, which is more private, the foster children get to shop.

Wal-Mart #59 employees were numerous meeting kids and families in line with donuts, juice, milk and smiles. Dozens were there, including management, helping shoppers find certain items, keep the checkouts running smoothly, and perhaps cleaning up a spill or two quickly that happened while shopping!

I am not a part of this program, I just had to have my tires worked on today. But I wanted to tell you how much I appreciate what you all do!

Shopper talking to JPD Ofc 

Numerous other police departments and agencies across the area work to within their local communities to help those at Christmas. So there are opportunities to give everywhere.

Holding other events this season include (partial list, click each below to view):

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Motorcyclist killed in Seneca, Mo., crashed into rear of pickup; Third Joplin-area motorcycle fatality of July 4 weekend

SENECA, Mo. — Just before 10 a.m. Monday a crash occurred in the northbound lane of MO-43 near Avalon Road on the north side of Seneca.

Police Chief James Altic tells us it was a fatal motorcycle crash. He said they requested assistance from the Missouri State Highway Patrol to process the crash scene.

Bruce Dodge, 60, of Wyandotte, Okla. was operating a 2008 Harley Davidson motorcycle which struck the rear of a pickup truck.  The motorcycle was totaled and removed by Doug’s Wrecker.

The pickup, 2020 GMC Sierra, driven by Richard Allen, 61, of Pittsfield, Ill.  The pickup was able to be driven from the scene, not requiring a tow truck.

Both vehicles were traveling northbound on MO-43.

Seneca fire Seneca District working a accident on Highway 43 North of Seneca please avoid the area both lanes are closed.” — SENECA FIRE & RESCUE FB

Traffic was shut down, north and south for about an hour and a half as troopers investigated. MoDOT Emergency Response, Newton County Sheriff’s Deputies and Seneca Fire assisted.

Crash occurred as [Harley Davidson] struck the rear of [GMC pickup].” – Cpl C Clark of Troop D

Newton County Deputy Coroner Jerry Deems claimed the body and transported to the Coroner’s office.

Dodge was not wearing a safety device.

This is the third motorcycle fatality in the Joplin-area over this Fourth of July Holiday thus far.  All three were not wearing helmets.

> RELATED >> TWO LOCAL MEN KILLED IN SEPARATE MOTORCYCLE CRASHES SATURDAY NIGHT

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MISSOURI STATE LAW DOES NOT REQUIRE HELMETS FOR ALL

As of August 28, 2020: MISSOURI REVISOR OF STATUTES; 302.026.  Motorcycle operators twenty-six years of age or older, no protective headgear required, when — proof of insurance coverage required. — 1.  Any qualified motorcycle operator who is twenty-six years of age or older may operate a motorcycle or motortricycle upon any highway of this state without wearing protective headgear if he or she in addition to maintaining proof of financial responsibility in accordance with chapter 303, is covered by a health insurance policy or other form of insurance which will provide the person with medical benefits for injuries incurred as a result of an accident while operating or riding on a motorcycle or motortricycle.

  2.  Proof of coverage required by subsection 1 of this section shall be provided, upon request by authorized law enforcement, by showing a copy of the qualified operator’s insurance card.

  3.  No person shall be stopped, inspected, or detained solely to determine compliance with this section. CROSS REFERENCE: Motorcycle operators with instruction permit, protective headgear required, 302.020

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World War II era Butterfly Bomb found in a Seneca, Mo. closet

SENECA, Mo. – Monday Seneca Police Department received a call regarding a suspicious device from an individual clearing out a closet at a family property being sold.

Seneca Police Chief James Altic tells us they responded and didn’t know what the device was, so they contacted outside agencies to assist.

Family contacted the relative who had lived there for more than 40 years.  She said the device was passed down by a father-in-law.  Chief Altic tells us the family member said it was mailed from England or Europe packed in a box of china, some time around World War II.

Munitions experts communicating with the police department determined through photographs it could be a World War II era ‘butterfly bomb‘.  Bomb specialists from Fort Leonard Wood in Mid-Missouri were dispatched to Seneca, arriving late in the evening.

On scene the device was inspected using x-ray. They confirmed that it was a Butterfly Bomb.

The bomb is a German design, “Sprengbombe Dickwandig used by the Luftwaffe during the Second World War. It was so named because the thin cylindrical metal outer shell which hinged open when the bomblet deployed gave it the superficial appearance of a large butterfly.”

The bomb was easily defused after x-ray and removed by the Fort Leonard Wood bomb experts.

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