As a member of the Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division, Lieutenant Michael de Castro doesn’t regularly drive patrol. After 31 years in law enforcement, however, he agreed to one last shift as a trooper before retiring in September. Granted, he knew he probably would have to rely on his partner for a few refresher tips. But given the fact that the ride-along was with MSP Trooper Merrek de Castro, his son, Michael was confident it would be a memorable shift.

“Instead of dad telling him what to do, it’s going to be my son telling me what to do and how to do things,” he told WCMU.

“I was a trooper for 17 years and I really liked being on the road, so it’ll be kind of an exciting thing to kind of get back out there, boots on the ground and to do it with my son,” said Michael, per reporting from UpNorthLive.com.

The younger de Castro joined MSP less than two years ago, and had always hoped to be on patrol with his father one day.

“Once I got out on my own, we were trying to get him out here before his retirement in September,” Merrek told the press. “It’s a great feeling being able to have him out here with me.

“I think I’ll remember this for the rest of my career,” he added. “It’s just what I’ve been wanting to do since I was a young boy, just getting to work with my dad.”