In 2014, Ferguson, Missouri erupted after the fatal shooting of Michael Brown by police. This prompted many across the nation to grapple with police violence, racism, and law enforcement's relationship with the public in general. It specifically led one Shawnee, Oklahoma citizen to ask a very important question: "How can we make sure this never happens here?".

In the midst of national aches and a need for better relations between law enforcement and the communities they serve, Fred Rutherford became passionate about bringing kids and police together, to foster positive relationships between police and minority children especially. Partnering with Chief Mason Wilson of the Shawnee Police Department, in 2017 the first Cops N' Kids event was held at Woodland Park in downtown Shawnee.
 

Today, Cops N' Kids is a registered nonprofit partnered with 33 law enforcement agencies from local, tribal, state, and federal agencies, as well as 30+ community organizations that come together once a year for the Cops N' Kids Expo.