The longtime local correction officer who recently died in the line of duty is being remembered as a “loving” family man ahead of his funeral on Wednesday.
Correction Officer John Edwards, 56, suffered a medical emergency while on duty at Gardner’s North Central Correctional Institute at the end of last month.
Edwards was with the Massachusetts Department of Correction for nearly three decades.
The Ashby man began his career at MCI-Concord in 1998. Then upon the closing of MCI-Concord, Edwards transferred to NCCI Gardner.
“Correction Officer Edwards was the loving husband of Jana Edwards and father to four children, Jacquelyn, Julianna, Jaymi and Jenny,” the Department of Correction stated in the line of duty death announcement.
“In his spare time, Officer Edwards enjoyed spending time with his family, the outdoors, hunting and fishing, as well as listening to music and playing his guitars,” DOC added. “He spent as much time as possible doing all those things in his ‘happy place,’ at his cabin in Maine.”
Following Edwards’ death, the correction officer’s body was escorted from Heywood Hospital in Gardner to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
“The presence of our fellow law enforcement and public safety partners helps honor Officer Edwards and is a tribute to his 28 years of dedicated service,” DOC posted online. “We are also grateful for the many messages of sympathy, prayers, and condolences that have been shared with Officer Edwards’ family, his colleagues at the North Central Correctional Institution and within the Department.
“We will continue to honor Officer Edwards and provide support for his family, friends and loved ones in the coming days,” the department added. “His service will never be forgotten.”
His wake and funeral services will be on Wednesday, when a significant law enforcement presence is expected.
Calling hours will be from 10 a.m. to noon at Brandon Funeral Home, 305 Wanoosnoc Road in Fitchburg. Services will be at noon at the funeral home.
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