Twin brothers Fabio and Gerardo Serrato, 30, grew up together in south Modesto. They graduated from college together and, together, they became CHP officers.
Then their careers took different paths.
ABC10's Carlos Saucedo caught up with the twins to find out what brought the brothers back together, be sure to read the whole story here.
Here's an introduction to Modesto's twin CHP officers:
• Fabio and Gerardo credit their experiences growing up in south Modesto with helping to shape them into the men and CHP officers they would become.
“Growing up in that part of town made us choose a profession where we were able to give something back to the community,” Fabio said. “To be able to make a difference, to be a positive role model for the younger generation.”
• The brothers went to college together, graduating from Fresno State in 2006.
“We joined the academy on the same date – we were roommates together – and we graduated from the academy; we became officers; we decided to take the sergeants exam; and we both made the list from the sergeant’s exam,” Fabio said. “And in 2013, we were both promoted on the same day, January 1. We’ve done it all together the entire time.”
• Gerardo is older - but not by much.
“I call Gerardo the older brother, even though he’s only older by one minute,” Fabio said.
• The brothers have to make have to make some unique workday decisions because they are identical.
“Every Wednesday we work together, my brother and I, and (our coworkers will) tell my brother ‘you wear short sleeves today and you wear long sleeves today, that way we can tell you guys apart,’” Fabio said.
• But they're not identical in every way.
“I’m constantly being reminded that I’m an inch shorter; he’s a little thinner, so he’s always making sure to rub that in on me, all the time,” Gerardo said.
• They’ve been looking out for one another long before they became CHP officers.
“If one (of us) was sick, mom would say give the medicine to Fabio or give the medicine to Gerardo,” Gerardo said.
• Like any good brother, they continue to have each other’s back.
“Having my identical twin brother do the same job that I do, knowing the dangers that come with the job,” Fabio said. “I do worry about him sometimes, but I know my brother is in good hands, that God is always watching him and that he is going to make the right decisions.”
