Godson of fallen Ohio trooper receives special badge number

The godson of an Ohio trooper who was fatally struck by a motorist is wearing the fallen officer's badge number as he begins work as a rookie with the State Highway Patrol.

The Morning Journal reports that 21-year-old Trooper A.J. Torres after completing his training was assigned badge number 511, which Trooper Kenneth Velez wore during his Highway Patrol career.

Torres says he was initially given a different badge number and was surprised by the gesture on the day he was pinned.

The 48-year-old Velez was killed last September when he was struck by a motorist while conducting traffic enforcement on Interstate 90 in Cleveland.

Torres has already completed his first shift with the Highway Patrol's Elyria post.