By Ademuyiwa Balikis
Judge Frank Caprio, the retired Providence municipal judge whose compassion and fairness in the courtroom captured the hearts of millions worldwide, has died at the age of 88. He passed away on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, following a battle with pancreatic cancer.
Caprio publicly revealed his diagnosis in December 2023, and just a day before his death, he shared a final heartfelt message from his hospital bed, thanking people for their prayers and support.
Born in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1936, Caprio served nearly four decades as Chief Judge of the Providence Municipal Court. He became a global figure through his television program Caught in Providence, where clips of his rulings, marked by kindness, patience, and humor went viral on social media platforms.
His approach to justice, often blending accountability with empathy, earned him admiration far beyond Rhode Island. Viewers around the world celebrated him as a judge who saw the humanity in every case brought before him.
In tribute, Rhode Island Governor ordered flags to be flown at half-staff, honoring Caprio as a man whose influence reached well beyond the courtroom. Family, friends, and countless admirers have remembered him as a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who embodied justice with mercy.
Judge Caprio leaves behind a legacy of compassion and humanity that touched millions across the globe.
