(WKYT) – For Sgt. William Howard and his son William Howard II, Father’s Day is more than a once-a-year celebration. Their bond as father and son is felt each workday as Kentucky State Police troopers.
The two share the same name and the same determination to serve and protect. Sgt. William Howard with Kentucky State Police Post 7 in Richmond says he knew from the time he was a kid that he wanted to be a state trooper.
“I just remember seeing those guys and gals at an early age, just remembering the uniform and what it stood for and being able to help the community,” Howard said.
His son, William Howard II, grew up seeing the same thing within his own home.
“Playing high school sports and seeing that camaraderie and the brotherhood with that, I enjoyed that, and I kind of saw the same thing with him going to work, him being around his friends that were also troopers,” Howard II said.
Concerns and support
Howard said he had reservations about his son following in his footsteps, knowing the dangers of the job.
“We watch the news; we see what’s happening throughout the world. Times are different. So, by all means, there’s a worry, but I try to be the parent — I’m living a dream because I said early in age that I want to be a trooper, and if that’s his dream, I wouldn’t want to stand in his way,” Howard said.
Howard II went to the academy and when he graduated, he was assigned to work at KSP Post 6 in Dry Ridge, where his father was a supervisor at the time.
“I think I told him this early on, ‘hey, at work, I’m not dad, I’m kind of the boss,’” Howard said.
Different posts, shared mission
While they now work at different posts and specialize in different things, their paths reflect that their blue blood runs deep.
“It has definitely brought us closer than just having a personal life,” Howard II said.
Howard said he could only think of a handful of father-son duos within Kentucky State Police.
He said the family has a grandson, William Howard III, and hopes he might follow in his father’s footsteps.