UJ Alumni participate in Law Enforcement/Community Christmas Shopping Program

There were some busy “elves” wrapping gifts for the 24 children who were part of the annual Cops and Kids event Saturday at Wal-Mart in Jamestown.

The event is held each December and is organized by the North Dakota Fraternal Order of Police James-Valley Regional Lodge.

Paul Sova(’04), a North Dakota Highway Patrol trooper, said he has taken part in Cops and Kids since he was assigned to Jamestown in 2011.

But this isn’t Paul’s first experience with Cops and Kids, he also participated when he was a corrections officer with the JRCC while he was earning a criminal justice degree from UJ.

“It’s just fun,” he said as to why he takes part each year. “The kids always seem to have a good time with it.”

Sova said too often the children who are picked for Cops and Kids don’t get to see law enforcement officers other than during bad times.

“It’s nice to be able to interact with them in a positive manner,” he said.