MARION, Ohio — Landon was just 3 years old when his father, Deputy Brandy Winfield, lost his life while on patrol for the Marion County Sheriff's Office.
Now, Landon is honoring his father years later by working for the same department.
He was sworn in Monday as the newest member of the sheriff's department.
“I think he would be pretty damn proud of me choosing Marion County to start out,” Landon said.
Landon's mother said there was nothing she could say or do to keep her son from following in her late husband’s footsteps.
“He doesn't want to do anything else," Sarah said. "What do you do when it's your kid's dream?”
Brandy was shot and killed after being dispatched to check on a disabled vehicle on state Route 423 on Oct. 14, 2004.
Following the fatal shooting, a 20-year-old man was convicted of murder and is serving a sentence of 40 years to life. He will be eligible for parole in 2047.
Landon said it wasn’t how his dad died, but how he lived that he will always remember.
“More importantly, it’s what he did outside the profession that’s what really weighs heavy on me. He was an amazing human being. If you ask people, they will say the same thing,” he said.
His mother said seeing her son in his uniform made her do a double-take because he looked just like her husband.
“When he walked into the room I had to stop. He looked just like his dad. Spitting image,” she said.
As for Landon, he said he’s excited about his career in law enforcement and carrying on the family name.
“I kind of look at this as my calling to carry my family's name, which I’m doing right now. It’s one of the proudest moments of my life,” he said.