ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Monroe County Sheriff Todd Baxter will soon be saying goodbye as his son goes overseas with the U.S. Army.

It's happening as the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues to escalate.

Naturally, the sheriff has concerns, and he plans to enjoy time with his son over the next few days. Later this week he’ll be traveling to see his son graduate and receive the rank of second lieutenant in the Army.

“He’s an artilleryman, he went to field artillery school so that’s what he’ll be doing overseas,” said Baxter.

Instead of taking the traditional two-week break before deployment, Zachary Baxter is heading to Europe this weekend.

Even though his son is being stationed in Germany, the situation in Ukraine is in the back of Sheriff Baxter’s mind.

“It’s kind of surreal, the fact that your son is going to a place that’s getting hotter every day,” Baxter said.

Two years ago, Zachary spent time in Ukraine, making friends with soldiers in Kyiv and working with them.

“His unit was trying to give advice to the Ukraine military," Baxter said. "They provided them training and worked to increase weapons abilities. As a young cadet, it was a cool tour and it turned out to be pretty historic.”

The Baxter family is no stranger to high-stress jobs, but sending their son into potential conflict feels different.

“I worry about his mind and body and how he will lead troops," Baxter said. "She worries about 'are you going to be comfortable there? Is the bed right? [Is there] a water filter there?'”

Zachary will be back in Rochester four nights before heading overseas.

“We’re trying to hide, we want him all to ourselves,” said Baxter.

And his parents plan to cherish every minute of them.