When Tom Bureau II graduated from the Maine Criminal Justice Academy Friday, it was cause for celebration. Not just because another trooper was hitting the highway, but because this new recruit represents the third generation of cops to come out of the Bureau family.

It breaks down like this.

Normand Bureau, now 81, was the first to join Maine State Police. That was in 1959. His son, Tom, came aboard in 1978, and for a year, they served together. Normand retired in 1979.

The Bureaus are from Lewiston. The younger Tom played hockey for Lewiston High School and was on the police force until 2006. He helped launch the Computer Crimes Task Force and continues to work in that field.

The Bureau force continued to grow.

Tom’s oldest son, Joseph, joined Maine State Police in 2006. A niece, Breanne Petrini, joined state police in 2008.

Tom’s son, Tom II, graduated on Friday — and the celebration began.

“This is a big deal for us,” said the elder Tom Bureau. “There have been several brothers who have served together, but it’s rare for three generations and a niece to do it.”

In 2011, Normand was honored with the “Legendary Trooper” award, the highest recognition given to Maine State Police retirees. He had served 20 years as a police officer and spawned two more generations of them.

“I loved my job, every minute of it,” Normand said at the time. “I did everything they asked of me. It was one of the best times of my life.”