MT. VERNON, IL — Area law enforcement saw the fruits of their labor be reciprocated, quite literally, in the form of a fruit basket and special ‘thank you’ cards Wednesday Afternoon. Christmas for Cops held their 4th annual celebration in the cold and windy parking lot of the Mt. Vernon Police Department building to pass out fruit baskets from Cusumano & Sons produce as well as 80 packets of letters written by students of the Mt. Vernon city schools to be distributed to the Ina Police Department, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, and the MVPD.

Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Bullard says getting the cards from area students is his favorite part of this celebration.

Mt. Vernon City Schools Assistant Superintendent Ryan Swan says this wasn’t a normal year for Christmas for Cops but the connection with the community schools to the officers is still very much there.

Mt. Vernon Police Chief Trent Page says he misses having the celebration at the schools.

Although the face-to-face interaction with area students and other members of the community was missing, the admiration for Jefferson County law enforcement was stronger than ever.