Sheriff Baxter’s son deploys to Europe as a 2nd Lt.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — One of Monroe County Sheriff Todd Baxter’s sons is deploying to Germany as a young lieutenant in three days.

The sheriff has spent 22 years in the army and three decades in law enforcement, but he told News10NBC that it’s a different feeling when your child goes into potential danger.

"As a parent, you never lose that feeling that you have to protect your kids," Baxter said.

Zachary Baxter was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. He is just finishing his training and instead of taking a standard two-week break, he’s going to Germany this weekend.

Beginning to pack some of Zack’s belongings to take overseas. Among them these profound reading materials from his collection & a map he walked just a few years ago. God Bless. #ukraine#service #sacrifice pic.twitter.com/INWNtjBZhH

— Todd Baxter (@Sheriff_Baxter) February 24, 2022

Brean: "Is part of your worry what’s going on in Ukraine?"

Sheriff Todd Baxter: "Well you know, when we talked about him joining the army we knew, I was very frank, I spent 22 years in the army, you go where Uncle Sam tells you to go and do what the commander in chief tells you to do and that always has a risk with it."

Lieutenant Baxter actually spent time in Ukraine two years ago during his training. His dad says he liked the country but could sense a Russian influence.

Brean: "Based on what I’ve read and I’ve heard the president say, it’s unlikely any American service members are going to go into Ukraine. But they could go into a NATO country. Is that a concern?"

Baxter: "Absolutely. The idea here is that it’s so unpredictable."

Brean: "How’s his mom doing?"

Baxter: "That’s a great question. She’s probably not going to be happy but the umbilical cord never gets cut, right? Moms and dads have a different experience with their kids. She’s making sure he’s got everything he needs. Making sure he knows he’s loved. Making sure he knows he’s got support. We’ll be home and we’ll be waiting for you and we’ll be okay so don’t worry about us. Take care of yourself over there."

Baxter and his wife have been together for 40 years.

"She’s a trooper," Baxter said. ‘She’s lived her whole adult life with someone going into danger for a living. But when it’s your kid it’s a totally different world."

With 22 years in the army, I asked the sheriff what advice he’s going to give his son when he deploys.

He said two things: Take care of your body and don’t stop training, and take care of yourself mentally.