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City officers play Date published: 12/26/2002
HE DAY started badly for Octavia Shields. She had to explain to her boys that money was tight and Christmas would probably be light on gifts this year. Her 10-year-old got upset. And the more upset he got, the louder he got, prompting a neighbor to call the police. And then Fredericksburg police Officer Julie Keene showed up. "I was in tears," Shields recalled. Keene said the family's apartment was quiet by the time she arrived, but their plight stuck with her. "I went out and called one of the girls at the office and said, 'I feel like crying. The kids don't have anything,'" said Keene, a city officer for 15 years. "I said to myself, 'If I could do something little for these kids, I think it could make a big difference.'" It was only 10 days before Christmas, and Keene didn't have much time. While the Police Department couldn't sponsor the family, Keene's co-workers and friends pooled money from their own pockets to make Christmas happen for the family. With Octavia Shields' permission, Keene stocked up on heavy-duty winter shoes, fleece jackets, books, games and action figures for the boys. She recruited two dispatchers who have kids of their own to help her pick out the goodies. "They were so helpful," said Keene, who does not have children. "I didn't know what the heck I was doing at all." While "It's a Wonderful Life" played on the television set, the officers set up a small Christmas tree in the family room and hemmed it in with gifts. "I'm overwhelmed," said Shields. "I am really overwhelmed." Her boys, she said, knew nothing of the gifts. They were just excited about seeing "Lord of the Rings" with Keene. "Julie has been great. She's been awesome," said Shields. "They'd been kind of glum. But since she's come by some days to check on them, I've really seen a change in them." About 10:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve, Keene and the boys strolled in to find the apartment overflowing with gifts. "Thank you," Larry said softly, not sure if he should disrupt the pile. Mark pulled his jacket up around his eyes before squeezing into a corner near the small tree. With a little prodding from Keene, he began opening presents, soon disappearing into a small mountain of wrapping paper.
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