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Joseph Anthony Ribeiro Sr.
Agency patch
Corrections Officer I

Joseph Anthony Ribeiro Sr.

Massachusetts Department of Correction — Milford, MA
Cardiac
United States flag Massachusetts flag
End of Watch June 25, 1998
Age 32
Tour of Duty 7 yrs
Badge 6678
The Vigil Panel 323 · Column 1 · Line 12 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Department 14

Incident

Corrections Officer I Joseph Ribeiro suffered a fatal heart attack after breaking up a fight between two inmates at one of the medium-security units at MCI Shirley. Officer Ribeiro responded to a fight between two inmates, which was broken up without incident by seven responding officers, including Officer Ribeiro. The inmates were then brought to the Health Services Unit for an examination and any necessary treatment. Later, Officer Ribeiro was part of a two-man team that escorted one inmate to the HSU when he suddenly collapsed on the floor. CPR was initiated by medical staff, and an ambulance was called. After transport, Officer Ribeiro was pronounced dead at Deaconess Nashoba Hospital at 10:30 pm. Officer Ribeiro had served with the Massachusetts Department of Correction for seven years.

Survivors

He is survived by his wife, son, daughter, parents, and sister.

In Our Keeping

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August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Corrections Officer I Ribeiro gave the Massachusetts Department of Correction 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Milford community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Corrections Officer I Ribeiro.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Massachusetts Department of Correction
Type Corrections
Location Milford, Worcester County, MA
Platform Identity mdc.worcester.ma.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch June 25, 1998
Tour of Duty 7 yrs
Age 32
Badge Number 6678
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Cardiac

The Sacrifice · Cardiac

Joseph is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,552 remembered there.

34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

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Compare against
I

Time

In 1998, 18 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 17th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Joseph was 32. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. Joseph had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

June holds 7.2% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Thursdays: 14.5%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Massachusetts Department of Correction has 15 officers remembered here, Joseph among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Corrections Officer I Joseph Anthony Ribeiro Sr.

Massachusetts Department of Correction · End of Watch June 25, 1998

Where the Name Is Cut

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