The beloved Providence Municipal Court Chief Judge Frank Caprio tragically passed away on Wednesday following an extensive battle with pancreatic cancer.
Caprio, 88, often went viral on social media for his empathetic response to individuals involved in traffic court violations.
The longtime judge was known for handling such cases.
Caprio’s family announced his death on Facebook.
“Judge Frank Caprio passed away peacefully at the age of 88 after a long and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer,” the family wrote. “In his honor, may we each strive to bring a little more compassion into the world – just as he did every day.”
Following Caprio’s tragic death, Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee (D) ordered all state flags flown at half-staff.
In a statement, McKee praised Caprio for his contributions, calling him a “treasure.”
“On a personal level, he was a friend who faced his illness with bravery, and I will miss him dearly. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time,” the Democratic governor said.
“Judge Caprio not only served the public well, but he connected with them in a meaningful way, and people could not help but respond to his warmth and compassion. He was more than a jurist—he was a symbol of empathy on the bench, showing us what is possible when justice is tempered with humanity,” he added.
As The Providence Journal pointed out, Caprio was known for his appearance on the reality TV Series “Caught in Providence,” where the sweet and empathetic judge would mostly handle traffic violations.
The show lasted over 20 years.
Viewers were given the chance to see the operations inside an everyday courtroom as well as the warmth that Caprio showed to all those involved in the cases he oversaw.
“I don’t wear a badge under my robe,” Caprio once said. “I wear a heart.”
Caprio announced his cancer diagnosis in December 2023, pointing out that the disease he was fighting was “insidious.”
In a statement, Rhode Island House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi (D) celebrated Caprio’s accomplishments, arguing that the longtime judge made Rhode Island a better place.
“Judge Caprio utilized his position for the greater good and helped countless individuals who appeared before him to turn their lives around,” Shekarchi said.
“His community involvement and charitable endeavors extended far beyond his role in the court; he generously gave of his time and resources to so many worthy causes,” he went on.
Caprio’s death was met with sorrow from many on X.
Conservative commentator Nick Sortor lauded the longtime judge for his “soft spot in the courtroom.”
“Judge Caprio had a soft spot in his courtroom for veterans experiencing hard times, and instead of bankrupting them, he’d pay most of their fines himself in many cases,” Sortor said. “An absolute legend.”
Assistant News Director for Florida Voice News Eric Daugherty also commented on Caprio’s death, calling him the “nicest” judge in U.S. history.
“BREAKING: The nicest American judge in history, Frank Caprio, has passed away at 88 due to cancer. He has frequently gained national attention for being very fair and empathetic with the defendants who enter his courtroom,” Daugherty said.
The post Beloved TV Judge Frank Caprio Passes Away After Extensive Cancer Battle appeared first on Resist the Mainstream.
Click this link for the original source of this article.
Author: Anthony Gonzalez
This content is courtesy of, and owned and copyrighted by, https://resistthemainstream.org and its author. This content is made available by use of the public RSS feed offered by the host site and is used for educational purposes only. If you are the author or represent the host site and would like this content removed now and in the future, please contact USSANews.com using the email address in the Contact page found in the website menu.
