ELYSIAN PARK (CBSLA.com) — Following in her father’s footsteps, a 23-year-old woman Friday was among 40 graduates of the Los Angeles Police Department Academy Class 8-12.

“It’s an honor to work for the LAPD and I’ve been able to see all the great things that my dad has done so it’s a privilege of mine to join,” Samantha Barnhart told CBS2’s Dave Lopez.

Her father, now senior Detective Tom Barnhart, graduated from the Academy in 1981.

“My daughter means the world to me. And the fact that she has chosen this career is very … it’s an emotional moment,” Det. Barnhart said.

Lopez reported that Chief Charlie Beck knows exactly how Barnhart feels as two of his children are members of the LAPD as well as a son-in-law.

“And then the additional pride of them following in your footsteps you know. Well, it’s a validation of your life’s work and you know, it’s a recognition of the future and the continuation of what has gone before,” Beck said.

The junior Barnhart told Lopez she possibly hopes to be a detective or chief one day.