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Mother-Daughter Duo Make History On The Camden County Police Force

CAMDEN, N.J., (CBS) -- The CBS series Blue Bloods follows a family of police officers and it appears Camden has its own set of Blue Bloods -- the only mother and daughter at the Camden County Police Department.

"This is where I grew up at. This is where I rode my big wheel," said Camden County Police Lieutenant Linda Alicea. She spent her childhood walking the neighborhood with one dream in mind. She wanted to become a police officer.

"I had the law enforcement family, role models and just seeing them begin their careers, it was amazing to me at a young age," she said. "I couldn't even imagine anything else. I didn't want to be anything else."

As Alicea patrolled the streets, one person in particular was paying close attention -- her daughter.

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Jessica Dean speaks with the Camden Police force's only mother daughter duo. (credit: CBS 3)

"What drew me to be a police officer was my mother. Just watching her live her dream and she was just a big influence in my life," said Alicea's daughter Cynthia Melendez.

With different ranks, schedules and districts, they don't often see each other at work. Melendez says there is no special treatment. "I feel like they don't look at me and treat me different because of her rank," Melendez said.

Naturally, there is some worry on both of their parts for the other.

"She's not really out on the streets as much as I am," Melendez said of her mother. "So, I think she worries more."

"I try not to," Alicea said. "I guess I had that law enforcement mentality where you have to understand there is a possibility that you may not come home and the fact that I support my daughter and her law enforcement career, I have to accept that also."

Lieutenant Alicea is a part of another first for the force: last year she became the first Latina in the department to be promoted to the rank of Lieutenant.

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