NEWPORT, R.I. - James C. Farrington of Newport, a 20-year FBI agent and longtime professor and chairman of Salve Regina University's administration of justice department, will be among the first class of inductees into the newly formed Rhode Island Criminal Justice Hall of Fame.
The inaugural class of 10 criminal justice professionals will be inducted to the Hall of Fame during a formal ceremony on Thursday, Jan. 12 at 5 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Warwick. The Hall of Fame will be housed at the Community College of Rhode Island Lincoln Campus and the display will be an interactive history of the careers of the inductees.
Farrington had a distinguished 23 career with the Federal Bureau of Investigation as special agent, section chief, inspector and deputy assistant director and has served as legal counsel to top government officials. He has worked with former FBI Directors and met several presidents, including Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan. He taught law to special agents and police officers from throughout the U.S. at the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia.
Farrington enjoyed law enforcement and was encouraged by former FBI agents Richard Marquise and Charles Cooke to teach in Salve Regina's administration of justice program. Deciding that it would be an interesting second career, he came to Newport in 1980 and influenced countless students as both professor and chair of the department. Farrington retired in 1998 following 18 years at the university.
Rhode Island Attorney Gen. Peter Kilmartin announced the creation of the Rhode Island Criminal Justice Hall of Fame earlier this month. The first class, selected by the Criminal Justice Hall of Fame Board of Trustees, includes police officers, a former state attorney general, corrections officials and former federal agents.
Kilmartin said the Hall of Fame is a chance to recognize people who have made significant contributions to the state's criminal justice system.