LEWISTON — Richard Eugene Caton III, 52, of Strong, died peacefully surrounded by family on July 18, at Central Maine Medical Center. He died of complications due to leukemia.

He was born Oct. 14, 1957, in Farmington. He attended the Phillips school and graduated from Mt. Abram High School, Class of 1975, in which he served as class president. He married the love of his life, Melinda Ladd of Strong in 1977. He graduated from the University of Maine at Augusta, where he received an associate degree in criminal justice and a bachelor’s degree in public administration in 1980. He graduated from the Maine Criminal Justice Academy 36th MCBPS in March 1980.

Richard was hired by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department as a deputy in 1975. In 1980, he went on to be a police officer for the Farmington Police Department. He was promoted in 1989 to detective sergeant and then to lieutenant in 1995. From 1998 until his death, Richard was the police chief for the town of Farmington, after temporarily serving as an acting police chief and interim town manager.

Richard was involved with many organizations including: Boy Scouts Troop 592, BPO Elks Lodge 2430, Lions Club, Blue Mountain Masonic Lodge 67, Pi Alpha Alpha National Honor, Maine Chiefs of Police Assn., International Chiefs of Police Assn., Maine Judicial Branch Domestic Violence Advisory Committee, Criminal Justice Information Systems Committee, Board of Directors for Sexual Assault Victims Emergency Services and Board of Directors of Evergreen Behavioral Services.

Richard was an avid hunter, fisherman and loved to landscape with his Kubota. Some of his best times were spent bird hunting with his wife, Melinda and dog, Dakota as well as laughing and playing with his children and grandchildren. He loved to read and go to rock concerts. Richard was the Rolling Stones’ greatest fan. His favorite place besides home was at his family camp on the Sandy River Ponds.

He is survived by his wife, Melinda of Strong, along with his children: Cassandra Smith and her husband, Matthew, of Auburn, Richard Caton IV and his wife, Sarah, of Wilton and Brock Caton and his wife, Nissa, of Farmington; his grandchildren, Caleb , Jacob, Kaden, Amara and Reid; parents, Richard Jr. and Kathleen Hoover Caton of Avon; paternal grandmother, Edith Caton of Phillips; siblings, Carolee MacVane and husband, David, of Kennebunk, Nicholas Caton of Phillips and Heidi Decker and husband, Joseph, of Chesterville; as well as an aunt and uncle; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.