CCRI Alum Johnny Villella Wins Emmy For Story On Providence Patrolman

WPRI's Johnny Villella (left) and Tim White (right)

06/23/2025

WARWICK, R.I. -- Johnny Villella needs to clear more space in his trophy case.

Villella, a CCRI alum, won an Emmy at the 2025 New England Emmy Awards in the category of News Feature: Serious Feature (Multiple Reports). The award is just one of many for Villella, who’s enjoyed a long, decorated career at WPRI-TV (Channel 12 in Rhode Island).

Villella, WPRI’s co-chief videographer, works as a videographer for WPRI’s Target 12 investigative unit alongside lead investigator Tim White. Their Emmy-winning feature, The Last Patrol, profiled Providence patrolman Frank Moody, who retired in December after over four decades on the job.

“It’s always an honor to take one of these awards home,” said Villella, who also is lead videographer for WPRI’s Street Stories series, which also was nominated for an Emmy.

“It’s super rewarding. You’re going up against great competition; a lot of good things are nominated each year. We take pride in our investigative unit, and we take pride in the stories we do. And to highlight a Providence patrolman, who’s retiring after 43 years, and hearing some of his stories, and to have that take home the trophy, is really special.”

Villella was effusive in his praise of White, his partner of nearly two decades on the Target 12 team.

“It’s an honor to take it home with Tim White,” Villella said. “Me and him have been working together for the past 18 years in the Target 12 investigative unit. That’s my guy right there, and I trust him every day. ... It’s always special to win with Tim White. He’s the best. He is the cream of the crop of reporters. Incredible investigative reporter.”

Villella studied TV production in high school and continued his education at CCRI’s Flanagan Campus in Lincoln, R.I. On his way toward earning an associate's degree in 1997, Villella took an internship at WPRI – and the rest is history.

“I learned a lot,” Villella said of his CCRI education. “I learned a lot about filming; I learned a lot about editing. It was a great step toward my career. While I was going to CCRI, I ended up interning at channel 12. That’s how I got to this job. ... While I was going to CCRI, learning how to film and edit and do all the behind-the-scenes stuff, I was also working here at the same time and putting those skills to use.

“CCRI was great. It was close to home. ... I learned a lot, and it advanced my career here to Channel 12 to learn more skills about TV.”

Don’t be surprised if Villella earns another Emmy in the future. But, for now, he’s relishing the recognition of a story that surely resonated with many Providence residents.

“I’m happy about this award,” he said. “This is my 29th, going into my 30th year. We’ve been at this for a while – and it’s special.”

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