Houston Police Officer Ronny Cortez and his partner were shot in the line of duty after confronting a burglary suspect in 2017. One bullet pierced his spine and left him paralyzed and in a wheelchair.

The 24-year veteran spent weeks in the hospital and months at TIRR Memorial Hermann, but later said he would do it all over again.

"To some people it's a job, to others it's a calling," he told KHOU 11 on the day he finally went home.

That passion for his job was passed on to his son Evan who is now answering his own calling four years later.

During an emotional moment at Wednesday's graduation ceremony, Evan's father proudly pinned his own HPD badge on his son.