Frank Caprio, the well-known Chief Judge of Providence Municipal Court and star of the reality TV show Caught in Providence, has passed away at the age of 88. His family confirmed he died peacefully on Wednesday, August 20, after a long and brave battle with pancreatic cancer.
“Judge Frank Caprio passed away peacefully at the age of 88 after a long and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer,” his family announced in a statement on Facebook. “In his honour, may we each strive to bring a little more compassion into the world – just as he did every day.”
Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee ordered flags at all state buildings and agencies to be flown at half-mast until Caprio’s burial. “Judge Caprio was a Rhode Island treasure,” he said. “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. Judge Caprio not only served the public well, but he connected with people in a meaningful way. He showed us all what justice with humanity can look like.”
A Worldwide Sensation
Caprio gained global fame through his reality show, which featured his compassionate and humorous approach to handling minor traffic offenses. He often brought both laughter and comfort to those who appeared in his courtroom. The show aired locally for more than two decades before being broadcast nationally. Later, clips of his rulings went viral on YouTube, where new videos continued to be posted even after he retired from the bench. “I don’t wear a badge under my robe,” Caprio famously said. “I wear a heart.” Earlier this year, he published his memoir, Compassion in the Court: Life-Changing Stories from America’s Nicest Judge.
His Final Months
In December 2023, Caprio revealed his pancreatic cancer diagnosis. He praised the “wonderful team of doctors” treating him but acknowledged he was fighting “an insidious form of cancer.” He kept his 1.7 million Instagram followers updated, sometimes sharing videos during his chemotherapy sessions. In one video, he was listening to the singer-songwriter Jewel, who later said she was “honoured to bring a small amount of comfort” to him. Judge Frank Caprio will be remembered in Rhode Island and far beyond as a man who brought kindness and compassion to the courtroom.
