Special Report Part 2: Local Blue Bloods

(WFRV)- Thursday night on Local 5 we introduced you to a real life family of blue bloods, living in Brown County.

A dad, Gene, and two sons, Justin and John, all serving in law enforcement.

Their lives mirror the hit show on CBS staring Tom Selleck and Donnie Wahlberg.

But, unlike a TV show the reality of working in law enforcement comes home with the family each night.

"It is dynamic, always changing you are never really going to see the same thing twice. I was not really made to sit at a desk all day" says Justin Rousseau.

After college he felt pulled towards his father's footsteps, pursuing a career at the Brown County Sheriff's Office.

"You kind of get a different feeling when you put the uniform on. You have to change speeds a little bit and go out there to take care of problems" he explains. 

Justin is not the only Rousseau on patrol. Brother John has logged nine years with Green Bay Police.

"I think the public puts a lot of trust in the police department and you feel the weight of that on your shoulders the first time you get in that car. You feel that every day when you get in the car for the rest of your career" John says.

Respect for the uniform and position were learned from little on.

Dad Gene retired after serving nearly 26 years with the Brown County Sheriff's Office.

"When one or more are in law enforcement, it's kind of like everybody is. It is a brotherhood of sorts and it is something that is a group effort to make this all work and still keep the family together the whole time" Gene says.

It is not an easy lifestyle.

"I have no idea where I'll be next year. It could be anything. I'm assuming it will be 2nd shift" Justin explains. 

"It has to be something that you don't just want to do to collect a paycheck. It has to be something that you truly want to do" John explains.

Gene was apprehensive about their career choices saying " You are concerned for their safety as a parent but I also know they are better trained then we were 30 - 40 years ago as well"

But all the training cannot prepare officers for what they have to see.

"I think I remember every fatal accident I worked and where it was. Things like that you do remember" Gene says.

Experiences and instincts that don't go away, when you take off the uniform.

"I guess you're a cop 24 hours a day as the saying goes," says Gene.

"We drive home a different way every day to make sure you do not get stuck into a routine" John says. " You are really always aware of what is going on around you which is tough to get used to. At a restaurant we always fight for the chair that has the back away from the door. Just because that is part of the lifestyle".

It is a lifestyle that mom Patty has embraced, though she sometimes has to stop the "police talk" at the dinner table.

"She was married to him the whole time he was in law enforcement, but I'm sure she still worries, now she was to worry twice as much" Justin says. 

Gene also worried for his boys knowing that officers have a stigma to overcome.

"Law enforcement is not like a Fire Department" he says. "People want the Fire Department to come to their house. They really do not want law enforcement to come to their house. You really are on the negative side for the most part".

John agrees "We see people at their absolute worst. That is hard every day sometimes. The couple of good things are you know you also see people at their best. That is how you really get through it".

A passion for helping others this is bonding this family closer than ever.

"I guess to sum it up its pretty neat" Gene says.

John and Justin are actually the third generation of Rousseaus in law enforcement.

Their grandpa was the constable for the Town of Scott in the 1930's.