The piercing sound of sirens was heard heading toward Jefferson City's east side Walmart early Saturday morning.
But no crime had occurred, just a long line of squealing police cars arriving in the parking lot, each one carrying at least one child eager to start shopping as part of the annual Operation: T.O.Y.S. (Take Our Youth Shopping).
Children stood with their shopping partners, law enforcement officers from various agencies based in Jefferson City, as they watched Santa Claus pull into the parking lot atop a SWAT vehicle, waving as the children cheered and yelled "Santa!"
And then they were off. Pairs of officers with children heading into the lawn and garden section of Walmart, which had been transformed into a Christmas shop just for them.
Andrew Johnson-Fischer and Caden Kelly, both 6 years old, were ready with their lists as they headed in with Capt. Doug Shoemaker of the Jefferson City Police Department.
"We've got to grab a cart "cause we've got so much to do," Shoemaker said to the boys.
As they took out their lists, he noted, "I have two very prepared young men."
Shoemaker was armed with two $120 gift cards, one for each boy to fill his wish lists. The boys eagerly headed to the aisles looking for very specific items. For Andrew, it was a remote-controlled dinosaur, though he ultimately decided to go with the Avengers remote-controlled Hulk instead. And Caden was focused on finding mini Thomas the Tank Engines. Once he found them, he couldn't leave them in the cart. He held them, showing the package to everyone who passed and announcing his find with a smile on his face.
Operation: T.O.Y.S. has continued for more than 20 years through the generosity of local support, including Jefferson City Police Officers Association Lodge #19, Missouri State Trooper Association, Jefferson City Jaycees, Jefferson City Correctional Center, Algoa Correctional Center, Walmart East, Auxiliary of the Missouri Department of Public Safety, Elks Lodge #513, Central Bank and staff donations.
In addition to the police, corrections and patrol, officers volunteered from the Cole County Sheriff's Department, Missouri Capitol Police and Lincoln University Police Department.
After Andrew and Caden filled their cart with Shoemaker, they looked at their haul as they headed to the checkout lines, repeating "holy moly" after Shoemaker.
Both boys said they were really excited about heading home with their gifts and couldn't wait to show their families, waiting to pick them up after their shopping adventure.
Andrew said he was a very good boy all year to earn the Saturday morning shopping trip.
They gathered their bags and said goodbye to Shoemaker, heading out with their families as they smiled and excitedly recapped their shopping trip.
"It was a blast," Shoemaker said after Andrew and Caden had left. "It's probably the highlight of the year for us."