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TWINSBURG, Ohio — In a city named for its legacy of siblinghood, two brothers from Cuyahoga Falls are living up to the name.

Martin and Miles Ashbaugh, identical twins and recent graduates of ����ɫ��ҹ University, are current cadets at the ����ɫ��ҹ Police Academy in Twinsburg — a fitting location for a pair who have done nearly everything side by side.

From childhood to college, and now into their future careers in law enforcement, the Ashbaugh brothers followed twin paths not by accident, but by choice.

“It’s a great feeling to know that my brother is beside me,” Martin said. “We went to the same high school, the same college with the same major, and now the same academy. We even work weekends at the same place, Fisher’s Café and Pub in Peninsula.”

The two are among a cohort of cadets training to become full-fledged officers, immersing themselves in everything from traffic stops to scenario-based training. But for Martin and Miles, who both earned bachelor’s degrees in Criminology and Justice Studies from ����ɫ��ҹ in 2024, the commitment to service started long before their enrollment in the academy.

Martin credits his time with the Stow Police Reserve Unit and his academic journey for inspiring him to pursue a career in law enforcement.

“I want to safeguard the lives and property of the community I work in,” he said. “Being a police officer is one of the most honorable careers I can imagine.”

Miles, who wrestled at both Woodridge High School and ����ɫ��ҹ, said the discipline and grit he developed on the mat helped shape his desire to serve and protect.

“My high school coaches instilled discipline and perseverance,” he said. “Those are the same traits I’ll carry into every shift as a police officer.”

The Ashbaughs chose the ����ɫ��ҹ Police Academy as a natural continuation of their undergraduate careers. After touring the Twinsburg and Trumbull campuses, they were impressed by the leadership and structure, particularly under Director James Willock.

“Director Willock’s passion was contagious,” Miles said. “You could tell he really believes in preparing officers the right way.”

As cadets, the twins developed a reputation not just for their shared surname and synchronized career paths, but for their camaraderie and teamwork during intense training exercises.

“In one of the building-clearing scenarios, I got to do it with Martin,” Miles said. “That was pretty special. We’ve done a lot together, but clearing a building in police training? That was a new one.”

Their bond hasn’t gone unnoticed. During one training session, the father of a fellow cadet, Martin Gilliland, walked into the academy and shouted, “Where the twins at?” The line stuck and quickly became a running joke among classmates.

Behind the humor lies a deep commitment to the work and to each other. Martin received a conditional offer from the Richfield Police Department (where one of his favorite instructors, Assistant Chief Paul Fister, works). Miles recently accepted a conditional offer from the Cuyahoga Falls Police Department. 

“I want to stay close to home,” Miles said. “Our family is here. Our support system is here.”

That support system includes parents Jason and Lily Ashbaugh, who both sons say are among the biggest influences on their choice to wear the badge.

“They’ve gone above and beyond,” Miles said. “We couldn’t do it without them.”

Martin added that the encouragement of people such as ����ɫ��ҹ Professor Will Kalkhoff, Ph.D., also a fellow Stow Police Reserve officer, helped both brothers stay focused and motivated.

“He’s one of the greatest people I know,” Martin said. “He’s inspired Miles and me in many ways.”

Miles similarly credited their class commander Jeff Film, who also serves as the police chief for the City of Stow.

Commander Film is a tremendous leader who is always pushing us to do our best," Miles said. "We wouldn’t have come this far without him and our outstanding classmates."

The Ashbaughs also credit their girlfriends — Martin’s partner, Veronica Rodriguez, a 2024 ����ɫ��ҹ graduate in aeronautics, and Miles’ girlfriend, Jessa Patterson, a fashion merchandising alum, for their patience and understanding during long academy days and late-night shifts.

As they prepare to graduate from the academy and enter the force, Martin and Miles remain committed not just to serving their communities, but to doing it, as always – together.

“We’ve always had each other’s backs,” Miles said. “Now we’ll have the community’s, too.”