The "Elf on the Shelf" keeps growing in power. What started as a children's book about a holiday tradition led to the creation of physical elf dolls. Parents place these around the house to spy on their kids for Santa. It has since warped into a capitalist empire.
This year, "Elf on the Shelf" had a musical made about it. There was an "Elf on the Shelf" balloon in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. There's an "Elf on the Shelf" spin-off series.
They have infiltrated households and schools and now, even, the Washington State Patrol.
Meet Leo, a rosy-cheeked, dead-eyed plastic doll dressed in a custom state trooper outfit complete with a nametag, badge, conical elf hat, and handcuffs strapped to his belt.
Leo is ready to patrol the roads today! #drivesafe pic.twitter.com/yl2Mb2T8YA
— Trooper H. Axtman (@wspd7pio) December 15, 2017
The "Elf on a Shelf," in theory, is a narc that keeps kiddies' toes in line. So it only makes sense that the Washington State Patrol would celebrate holiday cheer by employing Leo, whose name stands for "law enforcement officer," according to Trooper Heather Axtman. Meaning he's literally a cop. A cop elf.
Leo, like all elves on shelves, appears after Thanksgiving. This is how he arrived this year:
Look who’s back!!! Happy December everyone! #ElfOnTheShelf pic.twitter.com/htzaZyqpFj
— Trooper H. Axtman (@wspd7pio) December 1, 2019
"Donut worry I'M BACK" he declared, each phrase a different chaotic color. We have no NEED for these caps, Leo.
Sure, he does seemingly cute things like give in to his sweet tooth:
I left the office to do an interview with @komonews and I come back to find Leo the Elf sneaking my sweets! #elfontheshelf2018 pic.twitter.com/BAjE6KerVh
— Trooper H. Axtman (@wspd7pio) December 5, 2018
I found Leo trying to open a box of delicious breakfast! 🍩🍩 pic.twitter.com/0F3Sz6XRBt
— Trooper H. Axtman (@wspd7pio) December 14, 2017
Or ride this dog named Kobe:
Leo has hitched a ride with Kobe tonight so he can meet up with Santa to deliver all the gifts! #seeyounextyear #elfontheshelf2018 pic.twitter.com/wE0CpsNt2S
— Trooper H. Axtman (@wspd7pio) December 25, 2018
Look closer, however, and you will see that he is watching. He is waiting. Is this elf plotting a concerted takeover of the Washington State Patrol? Here, you can see him manning the 9-1-1 desk:
Leo decided to help the 9-1-1 dispatchers! He wants to remind everyone to only call 9-1-1 during an emergency! pic.twitter.com/0LtR1jUlOG
— Trooper H. Axtman (@wspd7pio) December 20, 2017
What about this picture of him in front of a surveillance video of a pedestrian on a trestle?
Leo spy’s with his little eyes...a pedestrian on the trestle. The pedestrian was safely transported into Everett by #yourwsp pic.twitter.com/DkqSxRbHFl
— Trooper H. Axtman (@wspd7pio) December 11, 2017
Why is the pedestrian on the trestle? Why is this elf so gleeful with his spying?
And then here he is bathed in the color of blood:
🎶 Rocking around the Christmas tree at the Christmas party hop. Officers out where you can see, making sure every DUI driver is stopped! 🎶 #Leoisonnightwatch #nightof1000stars #DriveSober pic.twitter.com/bH9rxE4whx
— Trooper H. Axtman (@wspd7pio) December 8, 2018
Oh god. He's done it. He's taken control:
🎶 The traffic out there is frightful. But the radio is so delightfu! And since Leo the Elf is on patrol, all the #leftlanecampers get a lump of coal, lump of coal, lump of coal! 🎶 #elfontheshelf2018 pic.twitter.com/GUEDpXChE7
— Trooper H. Axtman (@wspd7pio) December 7, 2018
He's seized another vehicle:
🎶Here comes Leo, here comes Leo, ridin’ on the state patrol sleigh! Motorcycle troopers pullin’ on the reins riding side by side. Sirens blarin’, radio singin’, all troopers keeping a watchful eye. So drive your safest so you don’t have Leo in your rearview mirror tonight🎶 pic.twitter.com/S1Go1NvOMK
— Trooper H. Axtman (@wspd7pio) December 10, 2019
There is no going back. It's like the end scene of Animal Farm when the pigs are sitting at the human's table and you can't tell pig apart from human:
Ask and you shall receive, @kellythomas360 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/qxtqc8ZhPj
— Trooper H. Axtman (@wspd7pio) December 11, 2018
How did we let this elf get so powerful?
🎶 dashing through the air, on a big red sparkling ball, Leo has no care, he’s having the most fun of all 🎶 pic.twitter.com/OLK2vev9wq
— Trooper H. Axtman (@wspd7pio) December 18, 2018
The death bells are ringing.