Because Bogalusa Police Chief Kendall Bullen had to be out of town last week, the BPD raffle winners from the April 1 Family Fest in Goodyear Park were surprised with their winnings early this week.

The BPD raffled off one big Easter Basket filled with all kinds of law enforcement toys — one for a boy and one for a girl; a couple of rides to school in a police car with a police officer behind the wheel; and a new bicycle.

On Monday, a BPD team composed of Bullen, Major Percy Knight, and Major James Smith started their rounds at Byrd Avenue School where they surprised second grader, 8-year-old Amond Mingo, the winner of the boy’s basket.

Because Mingo won the basket, his whole class then got a visit from the BPD team, who passed out pencils, toy handcuffs, and Junior Police Officer badge stickers. Bullen had one student read aloud what is written on the pencils. He read, “Police officers are our friends, the Bogalusa Police Department.”

That was a message repeated throughout the visits.

Later that day, the chief and Knight went to Walmart to meet the grand prize winner. But when Bullen noticed that the bicycle winner was a 2-year-old triplet, he couldn’t help but spread the wealth.

Before long, not only Raylee, but also Jaxon and Connor Bush had new tricycles and helmets. Their parents, Amanda and David Bush, were stunned and delighted.

On Tuesday, the BPD team of Bullen and Knight went to deliver the girl’s basket to 5-year-old Lillyann Sanders, who was shy, but elated, with the surprise.

Also early this week, two 7-year-olds were driven to school in a police car. Toxie Knight got a ride with officer Ryan Rester, who picked up donuts on the way. And Keleigh Reid got a ride with officer Quinton Spears, who also stopped for donuts.