Frank Caprio, the retired chief judge of the Providence Municipal Court whose compassionate rulings made him a viral media figure, died on Wednesday at the age of 88. His son, Frank T. Caprio, confirmed the death, saying the jurist succumbed to pancreatic cancer. Caprio joined the municipal bench in 1985 and was re-elected six times, presiding for almost four decades before retiring in January 2023. He became nationally known through the television program “Caught in Providence,” which showcased his habit of weighing defendants’ personal circumstances before imposing fines. The series, picked up by U.S. broadcasters in 2017 and nominated for a Daytime Emmy in 2021, drew millions of online viewers and cemented his reputation as “America’s nicest judge.” Less than a day before his death, Caprio posted a short video asking the public to keep him in their prayers. He had completed a final round of radiation treatment in May 2024. Providence renamed its municipal courtroom in his honor after his retirement, reflecting his standing in the city and beyond. Caprio is survived by his wife, Joyce, five children, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.