BIDDEFORD – James C. Rioux, 50, of Sabattus passed away Wednesday, June 25, at Southern Maine Medical Center with his family at his side following a long battle with lung disease.

He was born on Sept. 20, 1957, in Rumford to Carmel and John Rioux. He graduated from Rumford High School in 1975 and enlisted in the U.S. Army in July of that year. He served six years as a military policeman.

After an honorable discharge, Jim attended the Maine Criminal Justice Academy and after graduation fulfilled his dream of becoming a police officer by joining the Lewiston Police Department. During his 22 years with the department, he worked as a patrolman, detective and sergeant. Jim obtained an associate’s degree in criminal justice from New Mexico State University in 1979, an associate’s degree in basic accounting practices from the University of Maine in 1996, a bachelor’s degree in criminal sciences in 1999 and a master’s degree in computer forensic science from Sacramento Regent University, Calif., in 2005.

Jim worked on many special assignments while working with the Lewiston Police Department including organizing the Maine Computer Crimes Task Force and becoming the state’s first certified forensic examiner with I.A.C.I.S. in 2000. He was also instrumental in obtaining C.A.L.E.A. accreditation for the Lewiston Police Department.

He was a member of the Masonic Temple, Blazing Star Lodge in Rumford, a member of the Fraternal Order of Police since 1984, the International Association of Arson Investigators since 1996, the New England Division of the International Association of Computer Investigative Specialists since 1999.

He is survived by his loving wife, Catherine, of Sabattus; daughters, Jenifer C. Rioux of Lewiston, Amber Damon, and son, Andrew Damon, of Sabattus; his mother, Carmel Rioux, and sister, Susan Rioux, of Rumford, and sister, June Hyjek and her husband, Peter, of Willington, Conn.; brother, Jack C. Rioux and his wife, Lori, of Winthrop; and grandson, Bingham Abbott of Sabattus.

He was predeceased by his father, John C. Rioux, of Rumford; brother, Joseph C. Rioux of Rumford; and daughter, Jo-ann C. Rioux of Sabattus.

He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.