Duran family patrolling the state's highways for three generations

Father's Day is about honoring dads. While some children honor their fathers with words or gifts, others pay tribute by following in their father's footsteps, which is what the Durans have been doing for most of the past half-century.

There has been a member of Mario Duran's family patrolling the state's highways as an Arizona Department of Public Safety officer since the late 1950s.

Duran, who now works for Adult Probation, but used to be a Superior Court security officer, said an unforgettable moment for him was when he pinned on his son David's badge in 2008, making him a third-generation highway patrol officer.

“The last name of Duran was only off the interstate for less than two months,” said Duran, who retired in June 2010. “I'm extremely proud of both my boys. It was also a proud moment for me to welcome (David) in as a fellow officer.”

Although he has been on the job for three years now, David doesn't have to look very far for advice, support and encouragement in his career as a trooper. His father was a trooper for nearly 25 years, while his grandfather, retired Municipal Court Judge Robert Carrillo, retired from DPS in 1977.

“You always worry about your children, no matter what they do. But I have confidence in him that he will be safe and rely on his training,” Duran said. “I look forward to being able to share my experience and what I learned with him. Talking with him about the job now is where I get my ‘fix' for not being out on the road anymore.”

When Duran became a highway patrolman, Carrillo, his father-in-law, pinned on his badge. To give an indication how long someone in the family has patrolled the state's highways, Carrillo's badge number was 90, while Duran's was 3665. David's badge number is 7217.

Duran and David also had the opportunity to share a prestigious honor together as fellow patrolmen, having both been assigned to the Southern Bureau's Squad of the Year in 2010.

“I was on the squad the first part of the year, before I retired, and (David) was on it the second part of the year,” Duran said. “We are probably the only father and son combination to ever make squad of the year.”

A Yuma native, Duran began his career in the DPS in 1985 in the Globe area before being transferred to the Yuma area two years later. Duran said with a father-in-law who was also a DPS officer, and judge at the time, he didn't want to come back to the Yuma area until he had some experience of his own on the job.

While a lot has changed over the years, especially in technology, Duran said the dangers of doing the job, which his son now faces every day, are still very real.

“You have to rely on yourself and your training. You have back up, but it is coming from a long distance away.”

Being the spouse of someone in law enforcement isn't easy and Duran gives his wife all the credit for him being able to spend 25 years doing the job he loved.

“She has been with the DPS since the 1950s as a daughter, wife and mother. She grew up worrying about her dad being out all the time, then her husband joins. Now her son is doing it as well.”

James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854.

There has been a member of Superior Court Security Officer Mario Duran's family patrolling the state's highways as an Arizona Department of Public Safety Officer for most of the past half century, beginning in the late 1950s with his father-in-law, and continuing into the present with a son who chose to follow in his footsteps. Duran retired from the DPS in 2010 after 25 years on the job.