ALBAWABA - Judge Frank Caprio spent his last days bravely battling pancreatic cancer.
Judge Frank Caprio, known around the world as “America’s nicest judge,” has died at the age of 88. He died on August 20, 2025, after a long fight with pancreatic cancer.
Caprio was the head judge of Rhode Island's Providence Municipal Court for a long time. He turned down his job as a judge in 2023 after having been on the court since 1985. He became known to millions of people through the hit TV show Caught in Providence. The show featured real cases from his courts from 2018 to 2020. Around the world, short clips from the show have been seen more than a billion times.
Judge Caprio stood out because he cared about people. He often treated small traffic cases in a friendly and funny way. He did not only punish people; he also listened to their stories and treated them with care. He often lowered or waived fines when he saw that people were having a hard time. "I don't wear a badge under my robe; I wear a heart," he said once. That quote showed how he thought about justice: with understanding.
John Caprio was born in Rhode Island in 1936. His parents came to America from Italy. As a child, he did odd jobs like carrying newspapers and shining shoes. Thereafter, he went to Providence College and Suffolk University to become a lawyer. He worked as a teacher and in the Rhode Island Army National Guard along the way.
Judge Frank Caprio Instagram profile
In December 2023, he announced to everyone his diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. His last message was made the day before he died. It asked people to pray for him.
People from all over the world sent memories after he died. Gov. Dan McKee of Rhode Island called him "a Rhode Island treasure." His family said he was a wonderful friend, husband, father, and grandpa.
Kindness, justice, and humanity are what Judge Caprio left behind. He demonstrated the possibility of achieving justice through kindness. His work and life touched many people, and his influence will continue to motivate people for many years to come.
