For two Youngstown police officers, going into their father's line of work was not a first choice. For a jeweler in Warren, the decision was a no-brainer.
Ahead of Father's Day, they reflected on what it was like to follow their fathers, and their fathers reflected on what it was like to be followed.
In Youngstown, Detective Sgt. Jose Morales and his son Jose Morales Jr. along with John Fields III and his son John Fields IV are two of several father / son combinations at the department.
Others include Jimmy Hughes Jr. and his father, former Chief Jimmy Hughes, who retired in September after 30 years; and Philip Skowron and his father, Ron.
Morales Jr. said he went to Youngstown State University to study biology and become a doctor but decided to take the civil service test for the police department - with a push from his father, who has been on the force for 32 years.
''He kind of nudged me that way,'' said the younger Morales, 23, who started in November. ''I was thinking what do I want to do. Being a cop was like the next best thing.''
The elder Morales said he never thought he was pushing his son, but he did not discourage him. However, he did talk with him about the realities of police work. He explained the toughest calls to go on, how to handle himself in domestic situations and traffic stops and to always be aware of his surroundings.
''I worry, but I put everything in God's hands,'' the elder Morales said. ''I'm pretty sure he'll be OK.''
The elder Fields was a city police officer for 27 years, but he said he was stunned when his son, then a student at Eastern Michigan University, said he wanted to join the force.
''To tell you the truth, it shocked the hell out of me,'' the elder Fields said. ''When he told me I was very happy, but I told him the realities of police work. I told him it's not always like it seems.''
His son, who has been on the force for 13 years and patrols a beat on the West Side, said his father was a great person to learn from. He said his father supported him when he told him of his decision, which he said he made gradually while he was in college.
The elder Fields retired as a detective sergeant about 10 years ago at 55 because of a work-related disability, but he still tutors his son, and the two talk frequently. The younger Fields said having a veteran officer on call at all hours is a great resource.
''My dad helps me, especially coping with things I see on an everyday basis,'' the younger Fields said. ''It helped me immensely to deal with the emotions.''
The two even briefly worked together and sometimes answered calls together. The father called it ''the best year of my life.''
For Patricia Fleeger of Gene's Jewelers in Warren, going into dad's line of work seemed a natural fit.
Fleeger began helping her father, Gene Battista, at the jewelry store on Courthouse Square in the 1970s, and she decided to stick around for a simple reason.
''I always wanted to be around my dad,'' Fleeger said. ''I enjoyed his company, and he was always happy when he was at work.''
She went to gem school, took other training and began working with her father in 1988.
''It was great,'' Fleeger said.
Watching her father work when she got older and could understand more was also a learning experience and very rewarding, she said.
''He was an inspiration. He loved to sell,'' Fleeger said. ''He had integrity. He didn't have to teach it. You just learned from watching him.''
She said her father, now 90 and retired, still comes by the store every day.