GARDNER, MA — A first responder in Massachusetts has died after suffering a medical emergency while on duty, state correction officials said.
Correction Officer John Edwards, a 28-year veteran of the Massachusetts Department of Correction, suffered the medical emergency at his post and died Monday morning, according to the department. The agency described his death as a sudden line-of-duty death.
“Today, we mourn the loss of Correction Officer John Edwards, who served the Department of Correction for nearly three decades with unwavering dedication to our public safety mission,” DOC Commissioner Shawn Jenkins said in a statement. “We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues, and offer them our full support in the difficult days ahead. His service will never be forgotten.”
The Massachusetts Correction Officers Federated Union also mourned Edwards’ death in a post Monday, saying he “dedicated his career to service” and was “the consummate professional.” The union said Edwards worked during his career at MCI-Concord and NCCI-Gardner, earning “the respect and admiration of his colleagues through his unwavering professionalism and dedication.”
“His leadership and commitment to his brothers and sisters left a lasting impact on everyone who had the privilege of working alongside him,” the union said.
Edwards was assigned to North Central Correctional Institution, a Gardner prison listed by the Massachusetts Department of Correction as one of the state's correctional facilities. The department oversees the state prison system and manages 13 institutions across Massachusetts.
The department did not release additional details about Edwards’ medical emergency.
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