Beyond the Badge

Doubletake: Meet the twin Jauregui brothers

The Jauregui twin brothers, Ricardo and Ruben, as young children, teenagers and then as adults and CDCR employees.
The Jauregui twin brothers, Ricardo and Ruben, through the years.

The twin Jauregui brothers wear nearly identical uniforms, which leads to a fair bit of confusion.

“We confuse staff and the incarcerated population,” noted Capt. Ricardo Jauregui. “At California Health Care Facility in Stockton, we were both sergeants together. At Sierra Conservation Center, we were both lieutenants until I promoted to captain.”

Currently, Lt. Ruben Jauregui serves as the administrative assistant/public information officer at Sierra Conservation Center in Jamestown. Meanwhile, Ricardo holds the position of captain/academy commander at the Richard A. McGee Correctional Training Center in Galt.

The brothers grew up in the Central Valley, where they still reside.

“I’m the smart one, my brother will tell you that,” Ruben joked. “He was the social one and natural comedian, so we complemented each other very well growing up.”

Ricardo joined the force first in 2007, which motivated Ruben to follow. Since he was starting a family, Ruben wanted a career with good pay and benefits.

“My law enforcement experience first started with the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department as a custodial deputy in 2008. I remained there until my employment with CDCR,” said Ruben.

The Jauregui brothers.
Ricardo, left, and Ruben when he joined the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department.

Ricardo cherishes the bond he shares with his twin brother, recalling how he never experienced a lonely childhood. As they transitioned into adulthood, he always had a best friend and confidant. However, it hasn’t all been smooth sailing.

“The most challenging part is having to explain myself to everyone I meet I am not who they think I am because everyone confuses us. It doesn’t help when you have the same first initial and you look identical,” he chuckled.

For Ruben, having a twin in law enforcement is a blessing.

“The thing I love the most about having a twin brother, especially now we are both in a law enforcement career, is having someone to talk to who can identify with the positive and negative aspects of this career. Law enforcement, in general, can be a negative environment but it really is what you make of it,” Ruben said. “He has helped guide me along the way from our youth into adulthood. Our relationship is unlike most siblings. There was no bickering, competition or physical fighting growing up.”

If you come across them and can’t tell them apart, just ask who loves duck hunting and is a die-hard Miami Dolphins fan. That’s Capt. Ricardo Jauregui. For Lt. Ruben Jauregui, inquire about anything related to Star Wars—he’s the ultimate fan.

>> Related content: Read the 2020 story about Capt. Ricardo Jauregui and duck hunting.

Story by Pedro Calderón Michel, Deputy Press Secretary
Office of Public and Employee Communications

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