Joseph Anthony Ribeiro, Sr.

Massachusetts Department of Correction — Milford, MA

Cardiac

End of Watch June 25, 1998

Age 32

Tour of Duty 7 yrs

Badge 6678

The Vigil Panel 145 ›

Gender Male

Incident 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

Permanent identifier: BO-US-MA-1389D2DD
Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw: April 2, 2026
Last updated: July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Joseph. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

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

Location Milford, 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

Corrections Officer I Joseph Anthony Ribeiro, Sr. is one of 1,306 officers lost to cardiac events in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 4% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In MA, 44 of 469 officers were lost to cardiac events in the line of duty — 9.4% of this state's fallen. That is 5.4 percentage points above the national rate of 4%.

At Massachusetts Department of Correction, 1 of 15 officers on record were lost to cardiac events in the line of duty — 6.7% of this agency's fallen.

Massachusetts Department of Correction

of 15 officers

6.7% Cardiac

MA — Statewide

of 469 officers

9.4% Cardiac

Nationwide

1,306

of 32,508 officers

4% Cardiac