A Sioux City police officer’s two sons followed in his footsteps by joining law enforcement, proving that being a police officer truly runs in the family.

Aaron Clark, a 30-year veteran of the Sioux City Police Department in Iowa, has two sons — DeVante and Odessa.

DeVante recalled how his father used to drop him off at school in the back of his police car. Clearly, his childhood with a police dad left a deep impression.

“And the thing I tell my sons, every time I hang up the phone with them, I get ready to hang up the phone with them is that ‘treat people with respect and that dad loves you,’” Aaron told KTIV 4.

He added that part of the motivation for his son DeVante to join the force was when his brother Odessa did.

Now, the brothers work together as patrol officers on the same shift for the Clive Police Department.

Odessa was originally on the fence about becoming a police officer, but in recent years, he changed his mind.

“And the divide started happening with police (so I thought) give it a shot, go out there, you know, try to help people try to give a better image to law enforcement,” Odessa said.

DeVante, meanwhile, always knew he’d end up in law enforcement.

“I kind of always knew I wanted to do it; I really don’t know what else I’d be doing,” DeVante said.

DeVante recalled a story his father told him about a local store owner who had a problem and called his father for help. Aaron often worked at the store off-duty, but he wasn’t working that day. Despite this, Aaron gave out his personal cellphone number and took the store owner’s call, which many officers wouldn’t risk.

Aaron hopes his sons can take lessons from his attitude and be good cops.

“You know, most people go from the cradle to the grave. You know, I mean, from the day they’re born until the day they die, never having a meaningful conversation with the police officer,” said Aaron.

The three officers and family members have no plans to quit law enforcement any time soon.