MIDDLEBORO – Retired Middleboro Officer and veteran Ronald J. Costa died surrounded by loved ones on Wednesday, Oct. 25 according to a Middleboro Police Department press release.

Costa, age 72, was a 30-year veteran of the Middleboro Police Department prior to becoming a reserve officer.

According to the press release, Costa graduated from Taunton High School in 1969 and enlisted in the United States Army and Army National Guard. He was honorably discharged from the Army National Guard in 1973 and from the Army in 1976.

Following his military service, Costa went on to graduate from the Fall River Police Academy in April 1980 and joined the Middleborough Police Department.

Costa received multiple letters of appreciation and commendation for his work during his years with the department. According to the press release, Costa officially retired from the department in 2010 and served as a retired reserve special officer until the time of his passing.

“I would like to recognize and thank Officer Costa for his many years of dedicated service to the Middleborough Police Department, our community and the country,” said Middleboro Police Chief Joseph Perkins.“Officer Costa was an upstanding man who found value in serving others, and we thank him for his selfless dedication to ensuring the safety of the Middleboro community, our thoughts are with his loved ones during this time.”