Santa instructs traffic as the officers travel from Burger King to Meijer.

WARSAW — Monday, Dec. 19, Warsaw Police Department continued a local tradition, with the fourth annual Shop with Heroes event taking place.

Shop with Heroes is sponsored by the Warsaw Police Department, Meijer and Quality Dining, Inc. The Warsaw Burger King restaurant, owned and operated by QDI, donated dinner and cookies to participating officers, selected child participants ages six to 13 and their families.

This annual event helps children and families in need and also helps to build relationships between local children and the police officers in their community.

As the children were finishing up their meals, Santa Claus showed up at Burger King to pose for photos and pass out gift bags to the children.

The children then got to ride with the officers in their police vehicles with sirens on and lights flashing. The officers drove the children, parade-style, to the Warsaw Meijer store. At Meijer, the officers assisted the children in buying Christmas presents for their families.

The children and the police officers walked through the store together, often times with the officers carrying the younger children. The officers assisted the children in picking out clothes and toys and trying on shoes.

Officer Doug Light, who helps organize the event, describes it as a fun event that is good for the community.