Tiverton is mourning the loss of a beloved fire captain, who died unexpectedly on Monday. Captain Joe Plocica retired from the fire department in 2019, after 25 years of service. Taking into account his time as a volunteer, he served the town for 30 years.

The Tiverton Town Council started Monday's meeting with a moment of silence in his memory, and council president Denise deMedeiros noted that after his retirement, Capt. Plocica worked for many years as a paramedic at St. Anne’s hospital, where she was one of his instructors.

“He was one of the best paramedics I’ve ever trained,” she said.

On behalf of the council, deMedeiros offered condolences to Joe’s wife Gina, his two children, and the Tiverton Fire Department.

“It was a sudden death, and very devastating to those who love him and know him.”