ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — This is National Veterans and Military Families Month and Veterans Day is next week. On that note, we share the story of one of the many men and women who once wore a military uniform and now a badge. Within the ranks of the Rochester Police Department, there are 634 sworn officers on the force. About one out of every six is a veteran. That includes Commander Sammie Drayton Jr. "I joined the armed forces because I was in college and realized that wasn't my path at the time," Drayton explained. "I decided I wanted to go another path and went in the military." That was in 1990. During his military service, he worked in communications and spent time in Germany. He told Sunrise anchor Brennan Somers it gave him a great sense of pride, responsibility, and accountability. "I had eight years in the military," Drayton said. "It was time for  me to make some life decisions as in if I was going to stay in or get out and I decided at that point, because usually when you enlist when you hit the ten-year point you usually become a lifer, so I said I'm going to see what's out there." He didn't always know he wanted to be in law enforcement, but life took him there. Drayton followed his father, now retired, who worked his way up at RPD to the role of Deputy Chief. Drayton Jr., now 27 years in with the department, says he's not finished yet. "I get asked this a lot," Drayton added. "I still love this job and I still think there's a lot more to give to the community as well as the officers under me and that's the main reason why I still stay." Drayton has been a commander for two years while serving his hometown. This career not only brought him back to Rochester, it also led him to meet his wife. She also wears a badge.