HUTCHINSON, Kan. — When the Hutchinson Police Department held Thursday’s swearing-in ceremony for four new officers, the department stressed that it is a family. That rings a little more true for new officer Hunter Ogburn. His father is Sgt. Cory Ogburn, a 25-year veteran of the force.

“I’ve always wanted and looked into a career in law enforcement,” Hunter said. “I saw a hiring date that was coming up, so I went for it.”

Sgt. Ogburn says the decision made by his son came after a lot of interaction.

“There were several very lengthy discussions,” Ogburn said. “I wanted him to have the knowledge he needed to make the proper decision. I think he did and he’ll be good at it.”

The elder Ogburn says his experience will be something that he can pass down to his son over a period of time.

“Twenty-five years of experience is hard to summarize in a couple of sentences. I’m sure he’ll have a lot of questions of me and I’ll be more than willing to tell him everything that I can to help him out.”

For Hunter, it’s now on to the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center. “It’s been amazing, making new friends. We’re going to be spending the next four months at the academy and basically just meeting people that I already know . . . and meeting new people along the way.”

The younger Ogburn says he’s looking forward to becoming a part of something his father has done for so long.

“I’m honored to follow in his footsteps,” Hunter said. “After 25 years of serving in the police department, I finally get to do the same thing.”