INDIANAPOLIS — Seven months after an Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officer Eric Rosenbaum was shot and attacked, he has not been cleared to return to duty. But while he recovers from his injuries, Rosenbaum joined dozens of area law enforcement officers in an act of annual giving.
A record 350 families benefited from the Indianapolis Fraternal Order of Police Shop with a Cop event, and Rosenbaum wanted to be there.
"A lot of time when we come in contact with people it's not good or it's the worst day of their lives," Rosenbaum, who was injured in May, said. "This is rejuvenating for us, for us to come together and spoil the kids. That's my favorite part."
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Children too young to attend or in foster care had officers as their personal shoppers filling clothing and toys request at the Meijer on Southport Road.
"Every year it keeps multiplying. I think what happens is that people see the smiles on kids faces and hear the stories from officers and the impact it has on them," Indianapolis FOP president Rick Snyder said.
The event is also about giving back. The kids in attendance packed 100 boxes of food that will be distributed by the Midwest Food Bank. Officers also passed out gifts to children who were unable to attend the event.
After shopping, kids took a ride with an officer to LifePoint Church for lunch and to play.
