FARMINGTON — Visiting hours and a memorial service for Farmington Police Chief Richard Caton III, who died Sunday, will be held on Saturday, July 24, at Mt. Abram High School in Salem Township, police secretary, Bonnie Pomeroy said Monday.

Caton of Strong died of complications related to leukemia, which he was diagnosed with in 2008.

Visiting hours will be from 10 a.m. to noon with services following at 1 p.m. at the school, Pomeroy said.

Caton served on the Farmington Police Department for about 30 years, working his way up from patrolman to chief.

Under Caton’s leadership he put the public’s safety on the roads among his top priorities as he and his officers cracked down on speeding and unsafe drivers throughout town.

He also saw that Police Department employees were recognized for their annual and quarterly achievements. There is also a Civilian Award for “personal assistance by a civilian in apprehending a criminal or in extending oneself beyond one’s own safety to provide prompt action to aid people in danger.”

Under his guidance, the department also offered a police school for citizens to educate them about police work for many years.

Caton also fought valiantly for a new police station to ease the space constraints in the Department’s offices at the town municipal building. Town officials continue that effort.

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