Harrison County Sheriff’s Office holds Shop with a Cop at Academy Sports + Outdoor

The Harrison County sheriff’s office met with kids on Wednesday at Academy Sports and Outdoors for a little shopping spree

The Harrison County sheriff’s office was at Academy Sports and Outdoors, on Wednesday, letting kids pick out the latest and greatest gear.

The shopping binge was held by the sheriff’s office and the Boys and Girls Club of the Gulf Coast which works to change the lives of children and teens by providing a safe, positive, and engaging environment to prepare them to achieve great futures.

“This is our chance to build the youth, build the future for our community. These are the kids that are gonna be taking the roles that we’re in one day. Hopefully we can count on them when the time comes.”

During the event, 15 kids were able to pick $100 worth of gear. From snacks, to toys, to fishing gear that can be used in this year’s sheriff’s youth fishing rodeo.

“The fishing rodeo is a free event that we put on. This year we actually have named it the Leroy Barnes memorial fishing rodeo. It’s named after one of our former deputies who loved to fish. It’s a chance for kids to come out for free. We partner with the state, they come out and stock the pond with catfish. We give prizes and serve lunch to all the kids.”

One child decided to purchase a skateboard, helmet, and knee pads and was even lucky enough to receive a little lesson from one of the officers

“I got a skateboard, I got a helmet and I got kneepads.”

The youth fishing rodeo will take place on Saturday March 23 at Harrison County Sports Plex.