A fallen officer’s son wrote a heartfelt letter in 1994, and sent it to the Rochester police department.
Jim Volz was just 4 years old when his dad died in the line of duty.
"He was an avid golfer and he had a dog named Mike,” said Volz, son of officer James T. Volz. “The dog died after my father got killed by not eating and not drinking water.”
It was a September night in 1942 when Patrolman James Volz was directing traffic outside the Auditorium Theater on East Main Street and he was hit by a car. The driver said he never saw him.
Jim was the oldest child and is retired and lives outside of Oklahoma City.
"Him being a police officer and dying in the line of duty kinda inspired me,” said Jim Volz.
He followed in his father’s footsteps. He even had the same badge number his father had upon joining the Berkeley, California police department.
"I didn't realize it at the time but I saw my dad's picture with the badge on it and it was the same number," Volz said.
He later joined the FBI and was a member of the SWAT team. He gained national attention for his work on the Oklahoma City bombing case.
There's still another similarity between father and son.
Both served in the military.
Patrolman James Volz was in the U.S. Navy; his son was a Marine.
Although Jim couldn't attend the 1994 Police Memorial Dedication Ceremony, during the department’s 175th anniversary, his younger sister was there.
Karen Santoli was 11 weeks old when she lost her father.
"I didn't get to know him like my brothers did,” she said.
Santoli grew up in the Rochester area where she chose to stay and raise a family.
"To this day, I'm 77 years old, and I still wonder what my life would have been if I ever knew my father,” she said.
Since their father’s death in 1942, the names of six more officers have been added to the memorial outside the public safety building downtown.
"He was a dedicated police officer and I'm sure all the other people who died in the line of duty are the same individuals and the same dedicated personnel," Volz said.
Officer Volz's legacy lived on through his son who carried on the work to protect and to serve.
A letter that was written twenty five years ago is still a reminder for Jim today of his father’s sacrifice and service.
"I just figured I owed it to my dad to send it,” Volz said.
Rochester Police Officer James Volz; end of watch: September 15, 1942.