Deputy Sheriff's Son Sworn Into Same Force As His Late Father

A 23-year-old has been sworn in as a sheriff's deputy, following in his late father's footsteps into law enforcement nearly 20 years after he was killed in the line of duty.

Deputy Landon Winfield was sworn in to the Marion County, Ohio, sheriff's office on July 1, fulfilling a longtime dream he said he's had since he was 3 years old.

“I always wanted to do this. And as I got older, I realized I loved being in community and being around people,” he told “Good Morning America.”

Landon Winfield's father, the late Deputy Brandy Winfield, died at age 29 on October 14, 2004, after being fatally shot while on duty.

Landon Winfield is now a fifth-generation law enforcement officer. In addition to his father, his great-grandfather was also a deputy with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. His grandfather Rick Winfield was a detective with the Marion Police Department in Ohio, and his uncle Cory Winfield was also a police officer in Marion.

“I grew up around law enforcement my whole life, and I knew this was what I wanted to do,” Landon Winfield said.

“I feel like law enforcement has a unique opportunity to have your own impact on the community. You can go out and have your own positive influences,” he added.

In addition to his family ties to law enforcement, Landon Winfield also credits other local officers, including other Marion police officers, a Columbus police officer and the superintendent of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, for influencing him to pursue a career in law enforcement.

“They’re great people and my family is not the only reason I got into this,” he said. “I think that’s the most important thing. I just want people to know that this is about me. I’m no different than anyone else.”

Marion County Sheriff Matt Bayles, who knew the late Deputy Brandy Winfield, described him as “a great guy.”

“Landon is very similar to him in appearance, in actions, and we are proud to have him at the sheriff's office,” Bayles added.

Landon Winfield said he is looking forward to the rest of his career in law enforcement.

“The work is definitely not done. I want to become a dog handler in the future,” he said.