Frank Caprio, fondly known as “America’s nicest judge,” has died aged 88 after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. The beloved Providence jurist passed away peacefully on Wednesday, just a day after sharing a heartfelt video from his hospital bed with his 3.2 million Instagram followers, asking for prayers.
Caprio first revealed his diagnosis in December 2023, undergoing radiation treatment. In his final message, he reflected: “Last year, I asked you to pray for me and it’s very obvious you did because I came through a very difficult period.”
Serving nearly 40 years on the Providence Municipal Court, Caprio became a household name through his hit show Caught in Providence (2018–2020), where his warm, humorous, and compassionate rulings captured global attention. One of his most memorable moments came when he dismissed a speeding ticket for 96-year-old Victor Colella, who had been driving his disabled son to hospital. “I don’t wear a badge under my robe. I wear a heart,” Caprio famously said.
Tributes have poured in for the Emmy-nominated judge, with Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee ordering flags at half-mast, calling him “a Rhode Island treasure.” His family remembered him as not only a respected judge but also a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.
Caprio’s legacy is one of compassion and kindness that extended far beyond the courtroom. As his family noted, “In his honor, may we each strive to bring a little more compassion into the world—just as he did every day.”
