Community Engagement

Holiday Heroes (formerly "Shop with a Cop")

In 2020, The Tomball Fire Department and Tomball Police Department combined their two respective Christmas charitable programs to form one bigger City-Wide event with participation from all of Tomball's First Responders. Members of the Tomball Police Department, Fire Department, Public Works, and City Hall joined together with the many community businesses and families that sponsored Holiday Heroes and took an unprecedented 43 children shopping at Tomball Wal-Mart.  

The program grew even more in 2021. Members of Northwest Community Health, Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, and Harris County Sheriff's Office joined in as the Holiday Heroes for 72 Tomball area children, each given a $300 limit at Tomball Wal-Mart. In addition to the 72 children that went shopping with Heroes at the event, more sponsors stepped up to adopt four families for the holidays, which brought a new element to the Holiday Heroes event, more in line with Tomball Fire Department's Holiday Family Adoption in years' past.

Each year, Tomball ISD counselors and staff nominate children from their schools for this program and submit them to the School Resource Officer(s) for consideration for the program. Holiday Heroes is 100% funded by donations from Community sponsors and hosted by Explorer Post 5451.

The History of "Shop with a Cop," 1999 - 2019:

 

Since 1999, The Tomball Police Department has partnered with Tomball Wal-Mart and Tomball ISD to take 20-25 economically disadvantaged children for a day of Christmas fun with a police officer. The program served approximately 360 children with almost $70,000 in family gifts. It made new friendships and positively impacted those in our community who would typically only see a uniformed officer during a less cheerful event. These children fill their baskets with slow-cookers for their moms, toys for their siblings and electronics for their dads. The "participants" in Tomball Police Department's Shop With a Cop program often think of themselves last. Many children live with someone other than their parents, are otherwise separated from their family members, and have several siblings living at home with them.

"My little girl went into Wal-Mart with NO intentions of buying anything for herself," said first-year officer Cleo Thomas. "I had to make her get herself clothes and toys." They are given $200 and are also provided with breakfast from McDonald's.

"Do we really have $200 dollars?" one boy asked his police partner in excited disbelief.

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Thomas said her last participant had six siblings and came shopping armed with a list of items for her family members and nothing for herself. When pushed, the girl got both things she wanted, such as games and dolls, and things she needed, such as underwear and socks.

Tomball Police Department and Explorer Post 5451 Booster Club will hold a fundraiser each year to sponsor this amazing program. If you want to help support "Shop with a Cop" and Explorer Post 5451, tax-deductible donations are accepted all year long! EMAIL HERE for MORE INFORMATION!

Blue Santa

Each year, the Tomball Police Department’s Blue Santa program makes a special visit to Tomball Regional Hospital and area assisted living and retirement communities. Since its inception in 2005, Blue Santa hopes to make the holiday season extra special for those who may be staying in their “home away from home.” Blue Santa, his elves (the Tomball Volunteers in Policing) and Tomball Citizen’s Police Academy Alumni Association come bearing holiday wishes and special gifts.

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If you wish to help Blue Santa and his elves, your donation of a new stuffed animal or a monetary contribution to purchase new stuffed animals is very much appreciated. The collection point is at the Tomball Police Department at 400 Fannin St., Tomball, TX. Donations for Blue Santa are welcome all year long.

Story Time with Tomball Police Department


In an effort to promote literacy while allowing Tomball youngsters a chance to interact with Tomball street patrol officers, a no-cost reading program was proposed to public and private elementary schools wherein a day shift patrol officer spends 20 to 30 minutes one day a month reading a book to elementary-age children. The school librarian assists in this effort by selecting reading materials from the school library.

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National Police Week


President Kennedy recognized the role of law enforcement personnel and, in 1962, proclaimed May 15 of each year as Police Officers Memorial Day in honor of Federal, State and municipal officers who have been killed or disabled in the line of duty. The week during which May 15 occurs was dedicated as Police Week in recognition of the services given by the men and women who, night and day, stand guard in our midst to protect us through the enforcement of our laws.

The Tomball Police Department is an example of excellence in responding to law enforcement needs of our community, regardless of the peril or hazard to themselves.

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Each year, a ceremony is held for the friends and family of Tomball Police Officers who risk their lives on a daily basis. A ceremony was held to “honor the standing and the fallen” to show support to the loved ones left behind and those who are serving today.

Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run


Each May, officers from around Houston, including Tomball Police Department, represent the Texas Torch Run for Special Olympics. The Law Enforcement Torch Run is Special Olympics' largest grassroots fundraiser and public awareness vehicle. At its most basic level, the torch run is an actual running event where officers and athletes run the Special Olympics "flame of hope" to the opening ceremonies of local competitions or state, provincial or world summer or winter games.

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National Night Out


NNO involves over 37 million people in 15,110 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities, and military bases worldwide. Target is a national corporate sponsor.

National Night Out, a year-long community-building campaign, is designed to:

  • Heighten crime prevention awareness
  • Generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime programs
  • Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships
  • Send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back
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Shattered Lives of Tomball


The Shattered Lives of Tomball was developed in 2005, with the first presentation in 2006 at Tomball High School. The Tomball Police Department, in conjunction with the Tomball Fire Department, Tomball Independent School District, Concordia Lutheran High School, Tomball Regional Hospital and area businesses, has decided to address the issue on a community-wide basis.

The program is presented on a bi-annual basis and graphically stresses the consequences of “poor decision making” by having students involved in a scenario regarding their own death. The program impresses upon the participants and witnesses that death is very real for persons their age and that they are not immortal.

Shattered Lives of Tomball, Inc. is a tax-exempt 501©(3) corporation and constantly seeks donations to fund each presentation.

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