Correction Officer at NCCI, Gardner Passes Away on the Job
According to the Department of Correction, Officer John Edwards passed away during his shift early on Sunday, May 31, 2026. The veteran officer suffered some sort of medical event which resulted in his death.
Statement from the Massachusetts Department of Correction: It is with profound sadness that the Massachusetts Department of Correction announces the sudden line-of-duty death of Correction Officer John Edwards, a 28-year veteran of the Department assigned to North Central Correctional Institution in Gardner. This morning, Officer Edwards suffered a medical emergency at his post and passed away. Commissioner Shawn Jenkins issued the following statement in tribute to the fallen officer: “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. 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.”