Fairmont State University Chief of Police, Jeffrey McCormick, sworn in during ceremony

On Wednesday, May 18 members of the campus and surrounding communities attended the swearing-in of Fairmont State University Chief of Police and Director of Police Academy, Jeffrey McCormick, with Marion County Circuit Court Judge, the Honorable Patrick Wilson, officiating.

“This is a momentous occasion in the history of the University,” said Fairmont State University President, Mirta M. Martin. “Jeff McCormick is an incredible man and someone who will lead this institution in the field of judicial law and law enforcement wonderfully, respectfully, ethically and with forward thinking.”

McCormick brings more than 30 years of law enforcement experience to the position, beginning his tenure at the University on April 25. In this role McCormick will lead the Department of Public Safety, while developing and overseeing the Fairmont State University Police Academy, including curriculum development and instruction, site development, student recruitment and community relations.

“When I saw Fairmont State was looking for its next Chief of Police and Director of the Police Academy, it was as if my entire career to this point had been leading me to this position,” McCormick said. “I am so excited for the future here at Fairmont State, excited to be a member of this vibrant campus community, excited to join the dedicated men and women who work in the police department, and so enthusiastic about the opportunity to lead them in being recognized as one of this country’s premier campus policing organizations.”

McCormick served as a Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation for more than 20 years in field divisions including Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Springfield, Illinois, Cincinnati, Ohio and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in addition to two tenures at the Bureau’s headquarters in Washington, D.C.

In Washington D.C., McCormick held the position of Chief of the FBI Counterterrorism Watch, leading the 24-hour command post for coordination of the Bureau’s response to terrorism threats and global incidents. He also held training positions in the Bureau’s Firearms and Defensive System Training Units. Other highlights of his professional career include roles as Chief of the Leadership Programs Management Unit and the FBI National Academy. While leading the FBI National Academy, McCormick trained more than 3,000 law enforcement executives from the United States and international countries.

Most recently, McCormick returned from retirement to serve as a Supervisory Analyst at the FBI’s National Threat Operations Center in Clarksburg. He previously oversaw FBI investigations in the Southern District of West Virginia as the Senior Supervisory Resident Agent for the Bureau in Charleston until his retirement in 2020.

McCormick began his law enforcement career as a patrolman for the Perry, Georgia Police Department and was later promoted to detective. Prior to his career with the FBI, he also served as a Lieutenant for the Valdosta, Georgia Police Department. McCormick held the role of Accreditation Manager while employed by both departments, leading both to national accreditation.

Jeffrey McCormickChief of PoliceMirta M. MartinHonorable Patrick WilsonCircuit Court JudgeChief of Police and Director of Police AcademyFairmont State University Campus PoliceFairmont State Police Academy