Joe Razza was born in Providence and grew up in Johnston. He attended Johnston Public Schools, played basketball and football, made All-State in football, and was later inducted into the Johnston High School Athletic Hall of Fame. He earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and an associate degree in law enforcement from Roger Williams University, and began his career with the Jamestown Police Department in 1996 — before, as he put it, he "left the picturesque shores of Jamestown for the ever-flowing traffic on Atwood Ave."
He joined the Johnston Police Department in 1998 and was promoted through the ranks over the next two decades.
A decorated career
Over a career of more than twenty-five years, Chief Razza received six letters of commendation for excellence in policing, three department ribbons for heroism, and a meritorious achievement award for a seizure of stolen firearms and narcotics. He was a lead instructor in the Rhode Island Motor Vehicle Code at the state's Municipal Training Academy, and in 2021 he was accepted to the 285th session of the FBI National Academy.
He became Chief of Police in 2020. During the pandemic he stood up the largest and most productive local COVID-19 vaccination center in Rhode Island, work for which the state named him its Emergency Management Director of the Year. Colleagues describe him as a good listener and a mentor to many. He often came back to one phrase:
"Working together — making a difference." A phrase Chief Razza repeated often
His daily route
Off duty, Joe ran the same route through Johnston every day. The course follows that route, mile for mile. It's about 4 miles, roughly a mile longer than a standard 5K, because his run was.
Away from work
He liked to entertain and was a generous host. He kept a meticulous yard and enjoyed a long soak in the hot tub. He loved taking his Corvette out, and he was the primary caregiver for his mother, Joan.
Chief Razza retired in 2022. He died of glioblastoma at home on September 29, 2023, with his wife of twenty years, Mandi, and family by his side.